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IHE  JACIFIC  SERIES. 

™  TT  ^ 

»  . 


THE 


YOUNG  ADVENTURER  ; 


TOM'S  TEIP  ACEOSS  THE  PLAINS. 


BY 


HORATIO   ALGrER,  JR., 

AUTHOR  OF  "RAGGED  DICK"   SERIES;   "TATTERED  TOM"  SERIES; 
"LUCK  AND  PLUCK"  SERIES;  ETC. 


,    Publisher, 

Corner  of  Bromfield  and  Washington  St«. 
BOSTON. 


Copyright,  1878. 
A.    K.    LORING. 


Girr  OF 

Bancroft  klZ 


BOCKWELT,  AND  CUTTBCHILI.,  PKINTEKS  ANT>  BTEREOTYPER8, 
BOSTON. 


PS 


/v\  A 


MY    YOUNG     FRIENDS, 


GRACE    AND    GILBERT    HITCHCOCK, 


J    H 


OF      OMAHA, 


is      VOLUME 


IS      AFFECTIONATELY      DEDICATED. 


861301 


PEEFACE. 


"  THE  YOUNG  ADVENTURER  "  is  the  initial 
volume  of  a  series  of  four  stories  relating  to 
the  Pacific  coast  and  the  intervening  country. 
The  writer  spent  several  months  of  1877  in 
a  visit  to  California,  Oregon,  and  Washington 
Territory,  with  a  view  of  gathering  materials 
for  the  Pacific  Series.  He  was  fortunate  in 
making  the  acquaintance  of  several  pioneers 
who  made  the  overland  journey  in  1849  and 
1850,  and  found  their  graphic  accounts  of 
interest  and  value.  No  part  of  our  country 
was  settled  under  more  romantic  circumstan 
ces,  and  none  certainly  affords  a  more  favor 
able  field  for  the  story-writer.  If  the  present 
series  docs  not  prove  attractive  to  his  young 
friends,  the  writer  is  ready  to  acknowledge 


6  PREFACE. 

that  the   fault   will    bo   his,    and    not   that   of 
the   subject. 

The  present  volume  chronicles  the  adven 
tures  of  Tom  Nelson  in  crossing  the  conti 
nent  in  1850,  when  months  were  required 
for  the  journey.  The  next  volume  will  re 
cord  his  experiences  in  the  Golden  State. 

NEW  YORK,  Sept.  25,  1876. 


THE  YOUNG  ADVENTFKER; 

OR, 

TOM'S   TRIP   ACROSS   THE   PLAINS. 


CHAPTER  I. 


"  I  WISH  I  could  pay  off  the  mortgage  on  my 
farm,"  said  Mark  Nelson,  soberly,  taking  his  seat 
on  the  left  of  the  fireplace,  in  the  room  where  his 
wife  and  family  were  assembled. 

"Have  you  paid  the  interest,  Mark?"  asked  his 
wife. 

"Yes  ;  I  paid  it  this  afternoon,  and  it  has  stripped 
me  of  money  completely.  I  have  less  than  five  dol 
lars  in  my  pocket-book  towards  buying  you  and  the 
children  clothes  for  the  winter." 

"  Never  mind  me,"  said  his  wife,  cheerfully.  "  I 
am  pretty  well  provided  for." 


10 


THE  YOUNG' ADVENTURER;  OR, 


-  "Why;" mother,1'' s&id  'Sarah,  the  oldest  daughter, 
a  girl  of  fourteen  ;  "  you  haven't  had  a  new  dress  for 
a  year." 

"  I  have  enough  to  last  me  till  spring,  at  any  rate," 
said  the  mother. 

"  You  never  buy  anything  for  yourself." 

"I  don't  go  in  rags,  do  I?"  asked  Mrs.  Nelson, 
with  a  smile. 

Mrs.  Nelson  had  a  happy  disposition,  which  led 
her  to  accept  uncomplaining^,  and  even  cheerfully, 
the  sacrifices  which,  as  the  wife  of  a  farmer  in 
poor  circumstances,  she  was  compelled  to  make. 

'•You  are  right,  Sarah,"  said  Mark  Nelson. 
"Your  mother  never  seems  to  think  of  herself. 
She  might  have  been  much  better  off  if  she  had  not 
married  me." 

The  children  did  not  understand  this  allusion. 
They  had  never  been  told  that  their  mother  had 
received  an  offer  from  Squire  Hudson,  the  wealthiest 
man  in  the  village,  but  had  chosen  instead  to  marry 
Mark  Nelson,  whose  only  property  was  a  small  farm, 
mortgaged  for  half  its  value.  Her  rejected  admirer 
took  the  refusal  hard,  for,  as  much  as  it  was  possible 


TRIP  ACROSS   THE   PLAINS.  11 

for  him,  he  loved  the  prettiest  girl  in  the  village,  as 
Mary  Dale  was  generally  regarded.  But  Mary  knew 
him  to  be  cold  and  selfish,  and  could  not  make  up 
her  mind  to  marry  him.  If  she  had  done  so,  she 
would  now  be  living  in  .the  finest  house  in  the  village, 
with  the  chance  of  spending  the  winter  in  New  York 
or  Boston,  instead  of  drudging  in  an  humble  home, 
where  there  was  indeed  enough  to  eat,  but  little 
money  for  even  necessary  purposes.  She  had  never 
regretted  her  decision.  Her  husband,  though  poor, 
was  generally  respected  and  liked,  while  the  squire, 
though  his  money  procured  him  a  certain  degree 
of  consideration,  had  no  near  or  attached  friends. 

To  Squire  Hudson  many  in  the  village  paid 
tribute ;  for  he  held  mortgages  on  twenty  farms 
and  buildings,  and  was  strict  in  exacting  prompt 
payment  of  the  interest  semi-annually.  It  was  he 
to  whom  Mark  Nelson's  farm  was  mortgaged  for 
two  thousand  dollars.  The  mortgage  had  originally 
been  for  fifteen  hundred  dollars,  but  five  years 
before  it  had  been  increased  to  two  thousand,  which 
represented  more  than  half  the  sum  which  it  would 
have  fetched,  if  put  up  for  sale.  The  interest  on 


12  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;    OR, 

this  sum   amounted  to   a   hundred   and   twentv-   dol-  Ifr*- 

Vf 

lars    a  year,  which    Mark  Nelson   alwaj-s   found  it    w-* 

^* 
hard   to   raise.     Could    he   have   retained   it  in   his 

hands,    and  devoted    it  to   the   use   of   his   family, 

it  would   have   helped  them  wonderfully,  with  Mrs.  fcM 

•K& 

Nelson's  good  management.  £tj^ 

Tom,   the   oldest  boy,  now   approaching  his   six-   ^ 

tee  nth    birthday,   looked   up    from   a    book   he   was    *& 

th 
reading.     He  was  a  bright-looking  boy,  with  brown 

hair,  a  ruddy  complexion,  and  dark-blue  eyes,  who 
looked,  and  was,  frank  and  manly. 

aWhat  is  the  amount  of  your  interest?"  he 
asked. 

"  Sixty  dollars  every  half  year,  Tom.  That  is 
what  I  paid  to  Squire  Hudson  this  afternoon. 
It  would  have  made  us  very  comfortable,  if  I 
only  could  have  kept  it." 

u  It  would  have  done  you  more  good  than  the 
squire,"  said  Sarah. 

"He  has  more  money  than  he  knows  what  to 
do  with,"  said  her  father,  almost  complainingly. 
1  'It  seems  hard  that  money  should  be  so  unevenly 
distributed." 


TOMS    TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  13 

"Money  is  not  happiness,"  said  Mrs.  Nelson, 
quietly. 

"  No  ;  but  it  helps  to  buy  happiness." 

"I  don't  think  Squire  Hudson  is  as  happy  a 
man  as  you,  Mark." 

Mark  Nelson's  face  softened  as  he  surveyed  his 
wife  and  children. 

"  I  am  happy  at  home,"  he  said,  "  and  I  don't 
think  the  squire  is." 

"I  am  sure  he  isn't,"  said  Tom.  "Mrs.  Hudson 
is  sour  and  ill-tempered,  and  Sinclair  (the  only 
child)  is  a  second  edition  of  his  mother.  He  is 
the  most  unpopular  boy  in  the  village." 

"  Still,"  said  the  farmer,  not  quite  convinced, 
"money  is  an  important  element  of  happiness,  and 
a  farmer  stands  a  very  poor  chance  of  acquiring  it. 
Tom,  I  advise  you  not  to  be  a  farmer." 

"  I  don't  mean  to  be  if  I  can  help  it,"  said  Tom. 
"  I  am  ready  for  any  opening  that  offers.  I  hope 
some  day  to  pay  off  the  mortgage  on  the  farm,  and 
make  you  a  free  man,  father." 

"  Thank  you  for  your  good  intentions,  Tom ;  but 
two  thousand  dollars  is  a  large  sum  of  money." 


14  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"I  know  it,  father;  but  I  was  reading  in  a  daily 
paper,  not  long  since,  of  a  boy,  as  poor  as  myself, 
who  was  worth  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  by  the 
time  he  was  thirty.  Why  shouldn't  this  happen  to 
me?" 

"Don't  build  castles  in  the  air,  Tom,"  said  his 
mother,  sensibly. "  V*^  «  ta-y  1  £*-*>  aJL^-  fa***- ''' 

"  At  least,  mother,  I  may  hope  for  good  luck- 
I  have  been  wanting  to  talk  to  you  both  about 
my  future  prospects.  I  shall  be  sixteen  next  week, 
and  it  is  time  I  did  something." 

"You  are  doing  something,  —  working  on  the 
farm,  now,  Tom." 

"  That  de&ST^count.  Father  advises  me  not  to 
be  a  farmer,  and  I  agree  with  him.  I  think  I 
am  capable  of  making  my  way  in  the  world  in 
some  other  way,  where  I  can  earn  more  money. 
There  is  Walter,  who  likes  the  country,  to  stay 
with  you." 

)  Walter,   the  third   child,   was   now  twelve    years 
of  age,  with  decided  country  tastes. 

1 '  I  would  like  to  be  a  farmer  as  well  as  any 
thing,"  said  Walter.  "I  like  the  fresh  air.  I 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  15 

shouldn't  like   to  be   cooped   up  in   a   store,   or   to 
live  in  the  city.J  Let  Tom  go  if  he  likes." 

"I  have  no  objection,"  said  Mr.  Nelson;  "but 
I  have  neither  money  nor  influence  to  help  him. 
He  will  have  to  make  his  own  way." 

"I  am  not  afraid  to  try,"  said  Tom,  coura 
geously.  "  From  this  day  I  will  look  out  for  a 
chance,  if  you  and  mother  are  willing." 

"I  shall  not  oppose  your  wishes,  Tom,"  said 
Mrs.  Nelson,  gravely,  "  though  it  will  be  a  sad 
day  for  me  when  you  leave  your  home." 

"That  isn't  the  wa}'  to  look  at  it,  mother,"  said 
Tom.  "If  gold  pieces  grew  on  currant-bushes,  it 
wouldn't  be  necessary  for  me  to  leave  home  to 
make  a  living." 

"  I  wish  they  did,"  said  Harry,  a  boy  nine  years 
of  age. 

"What  would  you  do  then,  Harry?"  asked  his 
brother,  smiling. 

"  I  would  buy  a  velocipede  and  a  pair  of  skates." 

"I  heard  of  a  boy  once  who  found  a  penny 
in  the  field,  right  under  a  potato-vine,"  said 
Walter. 


16  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    Off, 

"I  don't  believe  it,"  said  Harry. 

"It's  true,  for  I  was  the  boy." 

4 '  Where  did  it  come  from  ?  " 

"  Tom  put  it  there,  to  fool  me." 
,   "Won't  you   put   one  there   to   fool   me,  Tom?" 
asked  Harry. 

"You  are  too  smart,  II  any,"  said  Tom,  laugh 
ing.  "My  pennies  are  too  few  to  try  such  experi 
ments.  I  hope,  by  the  time  you  are  as  old  as 
Walter,  to  give  you  something  better." 

The  conversation  drifted  to  other  topics,  with 
which  we  are  not  concerned.  Tom,  however,  did 
not  forget  it.  He  felt  that  an  important  question 
had  that  evening  been  decided  for  him.  He  had 
only  thought  of  making  a  start  for  himself  hith 
erto.  Now  he  had  broached  the  subject,  and 
received  the  permission  of  his  father  and  mother. 
The  world  was  all  before  him  where  to  choose. 
His  available  capital  was  small,  it  is  true,  amounting 
only  to  thirty-seven  cents  and  a  jack-knife  ;  but  he 
had,  besides,  a  stout  heart,  a  pair  of  strong  hands, 
an  honest  face,  and  plenty  of  perseverance, —  not  a 
bad  equipment  for  a  young  adventurer. 


TOM'S   TEIP  ACROSS    THE  PLAINS.  17 


CHAPTER  II. 

TOM   FINDS   A    WALLET   AND    SEEKS    THE    OWNER. 

SINCE  the  time  of  which  I  am  writing,  over 
twenty-five  years  have  passed,  for  it  was  in  the 
year  1850  that  Tom  made  up  his  mind  to  leave 
home  and  seek  his  fortune.  The  papers  were  full 
of  the  new  gold  discoveries  in  the  new  country 
which  had  recently  been  added  to  the  great  republic. 
Thousands  were  hurrying  to  the  land  of  gold ;  men 
who  had  been  unfortunate  at  home,  or,  though 
moderately  well  situated,  were  seized  by  the  spirit 
of  adventure.  At  considerable  sacrifice  many  raised 
the  means  of  reaching  the  new  El  Dorado,  while 
others  borrowed  or  appropriated  the  necessary  sum. 
Some,  able  to  do  neither,  set  out  on  a  venture, 
determined  to  get  there  in  some  way. 

In  the  weekly  paper,  to  which  Mr.  Nelson  had 
for  years  been  a  subscriber,  Tom  had  read  a  good 
deal  about  California.  His  youthful  fancy  had 
2 


18  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OJJ, 

been  wrought  upon  by  the  brilliant  pictures  of  a 
land  where  a  penniless  man  might,  if  favored  by 
fortune,  secure  a  competence  in  a  twelvemonth, 
and  he  ardently  wished  that  he,  too,  might  have 
the  chance  of  going  there.  It  was  a  wish,  but 
not  an  expectation.  It  would  cost  at  least  two 
hundred  dollars  to  reach  the  Pacific  coast,  and 
there  was  no  hope  of  getting  a  tithe  of  that  sum. 

"If  I  could  only  go  to  California,"  thought 
Tom,  "  I  would  make  my  way  somehow ;  I  would 
cheerfully  work  twelve  hours  a  da}^.  I  don't  see 
why  a  boy  can't  dig  gold,  as  well  as  a  man.  If 
somebody  would  lend  me  money  enough  to  get 
there,  I  could  afford  to  pay  high  interest." 

There  was  one  man  in  Wilton  who  might  lend 
him  the  money  if  he  would.  That  man  was  Squire 
Hudson.  He  always  had  money  on  hand  in  con 
siderable  quantities,  and  two  hundred  dollars  would 
be  nothing  to  him.  Tom  would  not  have  dreamed 
of  applying  to  him,  however,  but  for  a  service 
which  just  at  this  time  he  was  able  to  render 
the  squire. 

Tom   had  been   in   search  of  huckleberries,  —  for 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  19 

this  was  the  season,  —  when,  in  a  narrow  country- 
road,  not  much  frequented,  his  attention  was  drawn 
to  an  object  lying  in  the  road.  His  heart  bounded 
with  excitement  when  he  saw  that  it  was  a  well- 
filled  pocket-book.  He  was  not  long  in  securing 
it. 

Opening  the  wallet,  he  found  it  was  absolutely 
stuffed  with  bank-bills,  some  of  large  denomination. 
There  were,  besides,  several  papers,  to  which 
he  paid  but  little  attention.  They  assured  him, 
however,  as  he  had  already  surmised,  that  the 
wallet  was  the  property  of  Squire  Hudson. 

"I  wonder  how  much  money  there  is  here," 
thought  Tom,  with  natural  curiosity. 

He  stepped  into  the  woods,  to  avoid  notice,  and 
carefully  counted  the  bills.  There  were  two 
hundred-dollar-bills,  and  three  fifties,  and  so  many 
of  smaller  denominations  that  Tom  found  the 
whole  to  amount  to  five  hundred  and  sixty-seven 
dollars. 

"Almost  six  hundred  dollars!"  ejaculated  Tom, 
in  excitement,  for  he  had  never  seen  so  much 
money  before.  "  How  happy  should  I  be  if  I  had 


20  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;    OR, 

as    much    money !     How    rich  the   squire  is  I    He 
ought  to  be   a  happy   man." 

Then  the  thought  stole  into  our  hero's  mind, 
that  the  wallet  contained  nearly  three  times  as 
much  as  he  would  need  to  take  him  to  California. 

"If  it  were  only  mine !  "  he  thought  to  himself. 

Perhaps  Tom  ought  to  have  been  above  temp 
tation,  but  he  was  not.  For  one  little  instant  he  was 
tempted  to  take  out  two  hundred  dollars,  and  then 
drop  the  wallet  where  he  had  picked  it  up.  No  one 
would  probably  find  out  where  the  missing  money 
was.  But  Tom  had  been  too  well  brought  up  to  yield 
to  this  temptation.  Not  even  the  thought  that 
he  might,  perhaps  within  a  year,  return  the  money 
with  interest,  prevailed  upon  him. 

"It  wouldn't  be  honest,"  he  decided,  "and  if 
I  began  in  that  way  I  could  not  expect  that  God 
would  prosper  me.  If  that  is  the  only  way  by 
which  I  can  go  to  California  I  must  make  up 
my  mind  to  stay  at  home." 

So  the  question  was  settled  in  Tom's  mind. 
The  money  must  be  returned  to  the  owner.  His 
pail  was  nearly  'full  of  huckleberries,  but  he  post- 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  21 

poned  going  home,  for  he  felt  that  Squire  Hudson 
would  be  feeling  anxious  about  his  loss,  and  he 
thought  it  his  duty  to  go  and  return  the  money 
first  of  all.  Accordingly  he  made  his  way  directly 
to  the  imposing  residence  of  the  rich  man. 

Passing  up  the  walk  which  led  to  the  front 
door  Tom  rang  the  bell.  This  was  answered  by 
a  cross-looking  servant.  She  glanced  at  the  pail 
of  berries,  and  said  quickly,  "  We  don't  want  any 
berries,  and  if  we  did  you  ought  to  go  round  to 
the  side  door." 

u  I  haven't  asked  you  to  buy  any  berries,  have 
I?"  said  Tom,  rather  provoked  by  the  rudeness 
of  the  girl,  when  he  had  come  to  do  the  squire 
a  favor. 

"No,  but  that's  what  you're  after.  We  have 
bought  all  we  want." 

"I  tell  you  I  didn't  come  here  to  sell  berries," 
said  Tom,  independently;  "I  picked  these  for  use 
at  home." 

"  Then  what  do  you  come  here  for,  anyway, 
takin'  up  my  time  wid  comin'  to  the  door,  when 
I'm  busy  gettin'  supper?" 


22  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR^ 

"I   want  to  see   Squire   Hudson." 

"I   don't  know   if  he's   at  home." 

"  Then  you'd  better  find  out,  and  not  keep  me 
waiting." 

"I  never  see  such  impudence,"  ejaculated  the 
girl. 

"  I  mean  what  I  say,"  continued  Tom,  stoutly. 
"  I  want  to  see  the  squire  on  important  business." 

"Much  business  you  have  wid  him!"  said  the 
girl,  scornfully. 

Tom  by   this  time   was   out  of  patience. 

u  Go  and  tell  your  master  that  I  wish  to  see 
him,"  he  said  firmly. 

' '  I've  a  great  mind  to  slam  the  door  in  your 
face,"  returned  Bridget,  angrily. 

"I   wouldn't   advise  you   to,"  said  Tom,  calmly. 

A  stop  was  put  to  the  contention  by  an  irritable 
voice. 

"  What's  all  this,  hey?  Who's  at  the  door, 
Bridget?" 

"A  boy   wid  berries,   sir." 

"  Tell  him  I   don't   want   any." 

"I  have  told  him,   and  he   won't  go." 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  23 

"  Won't  go,  bey?"  and  Squire  Hudson  came 
out  into  the  hall.  "What's  all  this,  I  say? 
Won't  go?" 

"I  wish  to  see  you,  sir,"  said  Tom,  undaunted. 
"I  have  told  the  girl  that  I  didn't  come  here  to 
sell  berries ;  but  she  objects  to  my  seeing  you." 

Squire  Hudson  was  far  from  an  amiable  man, 
and  this  explanation  made  him  angry  with  the 
servant.  He  turned  upon  her  fiercely. 

"  What  do  you  mean,  you  trollop,"  he  demanded, 
4 'by  refusing  to  let  the  boy  see  me?  What  do  you 
mean  by  }Tour  insolence,  I  say?" 

Bridget  was  overwhelmed,  .for  the  squire's  tem 
per  was  like  a  tornado. 

"  I  thought  he  wanted  to  sell  berries,"  she 
faltered. 

"That  isn't  true,"  said  Tom.  "I  told  you 
expressly  that  I  picked  the  berries  for  use  at 
home,  and  had  none  to  sell." 

"  Go  back  to  the  kitchen,  you  trollop!"  thun 
dered  the  squire.  "  You  deserve  to  go  to  jail 
for  your  outrageous  conduct."  ^'  t, 

Bridget  did  not  venture  to   answer  a  word,  for 


24  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

it  would  only  have  raised  a  more  violent  storm, 
but  retreated  crestfallen  to  her  own  realm,  and 
left  our  hero  in  possession  of  the  field.  She 
contented  herself  with  muttering  under  her  breath 
what  she  did  not  dare  to  speak  aloud. 

"You  are  Tom  Nelson,  are  you  not?"  asked 
the  squire,  adjusting  his  spectacles,  and  looking 
more  carefully  at  the  boy. 

"Yes,    sir." 

"  Have  you   any   message   from  your  father?" 

"  No,  sir." 

"Then  why  did  you  come  here  to  take  up 
my  time?"  demanded  the  squire,  frowning. 

"I  came   to   do   you   a  service,  Squire  Hudson." 

uYou  came  —  to  —  do  —  me  —  a  —  service?"  re 
peated  the  squire,  slowly. 

"Yes,    sir." 

"You  may  as  well  come  in,"  said  the  rich 
man,  leading  into  the  sitting-room. 

Tom  followed  him  into  a  handsomely  furnished 
room,  and  the  two  sat  down  opposite  each  other. 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS   THE   PLAINS.  25 


CHAPTER   in. 

TOM  ASKS   A   LOAN   FROM   A   CAPITALIST. 

"I  DON'T  know  what  service  you  can  do  me," 
said  Squire  Hudson,  incredulously. 

His  manner  implied:  "I  am  a  rich  man  and 
you  are  a  poor  boy.  How  can  you  possibly 
serve  me  ?  " 

"Have  you  lost  anything  latety?"  inquired 
Tom,  coming  at  once  to  business. 

I  suppose  most  men,  when  asked  such  a  ques 
tion,  would  first  think  of  their  pocket-books.  It 
was  so  with  Squire  Hudson.  He  hastily  thrust 
his  hand  into  his  pocket,  and  found  —  a  large 
hole,  through  which,  doubtless,  the  wallet  had 
slipped. 

"I  have  lost  my  wallet,"  he  said,  anxiously. 
"  Have  you  found  it?" 

In  reply  Tom  produced  the  missing  article. 
The  squire  took  it  hurriedly,  and,  at  once  open- 


26  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

ing  it,  counted  the  mone}^  It  was  all  there,  and 
he  heaved  a  sigh  of  relief,  for  he  was  a  man 
who  cared  for  money  more  than  most  people. 

"  Where   did  you   find  it?"  he   asked. 

Tom   answered   the   question. 

"It  is  very  fortunate  }TOU  came  along  before 
any  one  else  saw  it.  I  rode  that  way  on  horse 
back  this  morning.  I  told  Mrs.  Hudson  that  my 
pocket  needed  repairing,  but  she  put  it  off,  ac 
cording  to  her  usual  custom.  If  it  had  not  been 
found,  I  would  have  kept  her  on  short  allowance 
for  a  year  to  come." 

Tom  felt  rather  embarrassed,  for,  of  course,  it 
would  not  do  to  join  in  with  the  squire  in  his 
complaints  -of  his  wife.  Suddenly  Squire  Hudson 
said,  eying  him  keenly,  "  Do  you  know  how 
much  money  there  is  in  this  wallet  ? " 

"Yes,    sir." 

"Then  you   counted   it?" 

"  Yes,    sir." 

"Why   did  you   do   it?" 

"  I  wanted  to  know  how  much  there  was,  so 
that  no  one  might  blame  me  if  any  were  missing." 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE  PLAINS.  27 

"Didn't  you  want  to  take  any?"  asked  the 
squire,  bluntl}T. 

"Yes,"   answered   Tom,   promptly. 

' '  Why  didn't  }rou  ?  For  fear  you  would  be 
found  out?" 

"That  may  have  had  something  to  do  with  it, 
but  it  was  principally  because  it  would  have  been 
stealing,  and  stealing  is  wrong." 

"  What  would  you  have  done  with  the  money 
if  you  had  taken  it?" 

"  Started  for  California  next  week,"  answered 
Tom,  directly. 

uEh?"  ejaculated  the  squire,  rather  astonished. 
"Why  do  you  want  to  go  to  California,  —  a  boy 
like  you  ?  " 

"To  dig  gold.  I  suppose  a  boy  can  dig  gold, 
as  well  as  a  man.  There  doesn't  seem  to  be 
much  chance  for  me  here.  There's  nothing  to  do 
but  to  work  on  the  farm,  and  father  and  Wal 
ter  can  do  all  there  is  to  be  done  there." 

"How  is  j'our  father  getting  along?"  asked 
the  rich  man,  with  an  interest  which  rather  sur 
prised  Tom. 


28  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;    07?, 

"Poorty,"  said  Tom.  "He  makes  both  ends 
meet ;  but  we  all  have  to  do  without  a  great 
many  things  that  we  need." 

The  squire  looked  thoughtful.  He  took  half  a 
dollar  from  his  wallet  and  tendered  it  to  Tom. 

"You've  done  me  a  service,"  he  said.  "Take 
that." 

Tom  drew  back. 

"I  would  rather  not  take  money  for  being 
honest,"  he  said. 

"That's  all  nonsense,"  said  Squire  Hudson, 
sharply. 

"That's  the  way  I  feel  about  it,"  said  Tom, 
stoutly. 

"Then  you're   a  fool." 

"  I  hope   not,   sir." 

"  This  would  have  been  quite  a  large  loss  to 
me.  I  am  perfectly  willing  to  give  you  this 
money." 

Then  Tom  gathered  courage  and  said  boldly, 
"You  can  do  me  a  great  favor,  Squire  Hudson, 
if  you  choose." 

"What    is   it?" 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS   THE   PLAINS.  29 

"  Lend  me  enough  money  to  go  to  California," 
said  Tom,  nervousty. 

"Good  gracious!  Is  the  boy  crazy?"  ejaculated 
the  astonished  squire. 

"  No  sir,  I  am  not  crazy.  I'll  tell  you  what 
my  plans  are.  I  shall  go  to  work  directly  I  get 
there,  and  shall  devote  the  first  money  I  make 
to  paying  you.  Of  course  I  shall  expect  to  pay 
high  interest.  I  am  willing  to  pay  you  three 
hundred  dollars  for  two ;  unless  I  am  sick,  I 
think  I  can  do  it  inside  of  twelve  months." 

"How  much  mone}^  do  you  suppose  }rou  will 
need  for  this  wild-goose  expedition?" 

"About  two  hundred  dollars,  sir;  and,  as  I 
just  said,  I  will  give  3*ou  my  note  for  three." 

"  A   boy's   note   is   worth   nothing." 

"  Perhaps  it  isn't  in  law ;  but  I  wouldn't  rest 
till  it  was  paid  back." 

"What   security   have   you  to   offer?" 

"  None,   sir,   except   my  word." 

"  Do  }'ou  know  what  I  would  be  if  I  lent  you 
this  money  ?  " 

"You   would  be   very  kind." 


30  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"Pish!     I  should  be   a   fool." 
"  I  don't  think  you'd   lose   anything   by   it,    sir, 
but  of  course   I    can't    blame    you    for    refusing," 
and  Tom   rose   to   go. 

"  Sit   down    again,"    said   the    squire;    "I   want 
to    talk   to    you     about    this     matter.     How     long 
have   you  been   thinking   of  California?" 
"Only  two   or   three   daj's,    sir." 
"What   made  you   think  of  it?" 
"I   wanted   to   help    father." 
"Who   has   told  you   about   California?" 
"I  have   read   about   it   in   the   papers." 
i '  Have  you   spoken   to  your  father   about  going 
there?" 

"I   have   spoken    to  him    about    leaving    home, 
and    seeking    my   fortune ;    but   I   have    not    men 
tioned   going    to    California,    because  I    thought  it 
impossible   to   raise   the   necessary  money." 
"  Of  course.     That's   sensible,    at   least." 
Squire    Hudson     rose     and    walked    thoughtfully 
about     the     room,     occasionally     casting     a     keen 
glance    at    Tom,    who    remained    sitting,    with    his 
pail   of  huckleberries   in   his   cap. 


TOM?S   TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  31 

After  a   while  the   squire   spoke   again. 

"Your  father  might  let  you  have  the  money," 
he  suggested. 

"My  father  has  no  money  to  spare,"  said 
Tom,  quickty. 

"Couldn't  he   raise   some?" 

"I   don't  know  how." 

"  Then  I'll  tell  you.  I  hold  a  mortgage  for 
two  thousand  dollars  on  his  farm.  I  suppose 
you  know  that?" 

"Yes,    sir." 

"  I  might  be  willing  to  increase  the  mortgage 
to  twenty-two  hundred,  and  he  could  lend  you 
the  extra  two  hundred." 

This  was  a  new  idea  to  Tom,  and  he  took  a 
little  time  to  think  it  over. 

"I  don't  like  to  ask  father  to  do  that,"  he 
said.  "  He  finds  it  very  hard  now  to  pay  the 
interest  on  the  mortgage." 

"I  thought  you  intended  to  pay  up  the  money 
in  a  year,"  said  the  squire,  sharply. 

"So  I  do,"  said  Tom,  and  he  began  to  think 
more  favorably  of  the  plan. 


32  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"In  that   case  your  father  wouldn't   suffer." 

"  You  are  right,  sir.  If  father  would  only 
consent  to  do  so  I  should  be  happy.  But  I 
might  die." 

"  Your  father  would  have  to  take  the  risk  of 
that.  You  can't  expect  me  to." 

This  seemed  fair  enough,  and  in  fact  the  dan 
ger  didn't  seem  very  great  to  Tom.  He  was 
about  sixteen ;  and  to  a  boy  of  sixteen  death 
seems  very  far  off,  provided  he  is  strong  and 
vigorous,  as  Tom  was.  He  rapidly  decided  that 
the  squire's  offer  was  not  to  be  refused  without 
careful  consideration.  It  opened  to  him  a  career 
which  looked  bright  and  promising.  Once  in  Cali 
fornia,  what  could  he  not  do?  Tom  was  hopeful 
and  sanguine,  and  did  not  allow  himself  to  think 
of  failure. 

"  I  understand  that  you  are  willing  to  advance 
the  money,  Squire  Hudson?"  he  said,  determined 
to  know  just  what  to  depend  upon. 

"  I  will  advance  two  hundred  dollars,  on  con 
dition  that  your  father  will  secure  me  by  an  in 
creased  mortgage.  It  is  no  particular  object  to 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  33 

me,  for  I  can  readily  invest  the  money  in   some 
other  way." 

"I  will  speak  to  father  about  it,  Squire  Hud 
son,  and  meanwhile  I  am  thankful  to  you  for 
making  the  offer." 

"  Very  well.  Let  me  know  as  soon  as  possi 
ble,"  said  the  squire,  carelessly. 

As  Tom  went  out  the  rich  man  soliloquized : 
"  I  have  no  faith  in  the  boy's  scheme,  and  I  don't 
believe  half  the  stories  they  tell  about  the  California 
mines ;  but  it  will  give  me  an  extra  hold  on  Nel 
son,  and  hasten  the  day  when  the  farm  will 
come  into  my  hands.  When  Mary  Nelson  refused 
my  hand  I  resolved  some  day  to  have  my  re 
venge.  I  have  waited  long,  but  it  will  come  at 
last.  When  she  and  her  children  are  paupers 
she  may  regret  the  slight  she  put  upon  me." 
3 


34  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;    OX, 


CHAPTER    IV. 

TOM   ASKS    LEAVE    OP   ABSENCE. 

TOM  walked  home  slowly,  but  the  distance  seemed 
short,  for  he  was  absorbed  in  thought.  In  a  way 
very  unexpected  he  seemed  to  be  likely  to  realize 
what  he  had  regarded  as  a  very  pleasant  but 
impossible  dream.  Would  his  father  consent  to 
the  squire's  proposal,  and,  if  so,  ought  Tom  to 
consent  to  expose  him  to  the  risk  of  losing  so 
considerable  a  sum  of  money  ?  If  he  had  been  older 
and  more  cautious  he  would  probably  have  decided 
in  the  negative ;  but  Tom  was  hopeful  and  san 
guine,  and  the  stories  he  had  heard  of  California 
had  dazzled  him.  There  was,  of  course,  an 
element  of  uncertainty  in  his  calculations,  but  the 
fact  that  there  seemed  to  be  no  prospect  before 
him  in  his  native  village  had  an  important  influence 
in  shaping  his  decision. 

To    ask    his     father     the     momentous     question, 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  35 

however,  was  not  easy,  and  he  delayed  it,  hoping 
for  a  favorable  opportunity  of  introducing  the 
subject.  His  thoughtful  manner  excited  attention, 
and  secured  him  the  opportunity  he  sought. 

"You  seem  deep  in  thought,  Tom,"  said  his 
mother. 

"  Yes,  mother,  I  have  a  good  deal  to  think  about." 

"Anybody  would  think  Tom  overwhelmed  with 
business,"  said  Walter,  next  to  Tom  in  age, 
with  good-humored  banter. 

"I   am,"   said   Tom,   gravely. 

u Won't  you  take  me  in  partnership,  then?" 
asked  Walter. 

Tom   smiled. 

"I  don't  think  I  could  do  that,"  he  answered. 
''Not  to  keep  you  waiting,  Squire  Hudson  has 
made  me  a  business  proposal  this  afternoon." 

All  were  surprised,  and  looked  to  Tom  for  an 
explanation. 

"He  offers  to  advance  me  two  hundred  dollars 
for  a  year,  to  help  me  out  to  California." 

"  Squire  Hudson  makes  this  offer  to  a  boy  of 
your  age?"  said  his  father,  slowly. 


36  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;   OR, 

"Yes,  or  rather  he  makes   the  offer  to  you." 

"To  me?" 

"Perhaps  you  will  think  me  selfish  for  even 
mentioning  it,"  said  Tom,  rapidly,  in  a  hurry  to 
explain  fully  now  that  the  ice  was  broken.  "  He 
will  advance  the  money,  on  condition  that  you 
increase  the  mortgage  on  the  farm  to  twenty-two 
hundred  dollars." 

Mr.  Nelson  looked  blank. 

"Do  you  know,  Tom,"  he  said,  "how  hard  I 
find  it  now  to  pay  the  interest  on  the  mortgage, 
and  how  hopeless  I  am  of  ever  paying  it  off?" 

"I  know  all  that,  father;  but  I  want  to  help 
you.  If  I  keep  my  health,  and  have  a  chance, 
I  think  I  can  help  you.  There's  no  chance  for 
me  here,  and  there  is  a  chance  in  California. 
You  remember  what  we  have  read  in  '  The 
Weekly  Messenger*  about  the  gold  fields,  and 
what  large  sums  have  been  realized  by  miners." 

"They  are  men,   and  you   are   a  boy." 

"That's  true,"  said  Tom,  "but,"  he  added,  with 
natural  pride,  "I  am  pretty  strong  for  a  boy. 
I  am  willing  to  work,  and  I  don't  see  why  I 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  37 

can't  dig  gold  as  well  as  a  man.  I  may  not 
make  as  much ;  but  if  I  only  do  half  as  well  as 
some  that  we  have  read  about,  I  can  do  a 
good  deal  for  you." 

"How  far  off  is  California?"  asked  Mrs.  Nelson. 

"Over  three  thousand  miles,  across  the  con 
tinent,"  answered  her  husband.  "  By  sea  it  is 
a  good  deal  more." 

"  Why,  it  is  as  far  off  as  Europe,"  said  Walter, 
who  was  fresh  from  his  lesson  in  geography. 

"It  is  farther  than  some  parts  of  Europe, — 
England,  for  example,"  said  his  father. 

"And  a  wild,  unsettled  region,"  said  Mrs. 
Nelson,  soberly. 

"I  don't  think  so  much  of  that,"  said  Mark 
Nelson.  "  Tom  is  no  baby.  He  is  a  boy  of 
good  sense,  not  heedless,  like  some  of  his  age, 
and  I  should  feel  considerable  confidence  in  his 
getting  along  well." 

"What,  Mark,  are  you  in  favor  of  his  going 
so  far,  —  a  boy  who  has  never  been  away  from 
home  in  his  life?" 

"I  don't    know  what  to  say.     I    have  not  had 


38  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

time  to  consider  the  matter,  as  it  has  come  upon 
me  suddenly.  I  have  a  good  deal  of  confidence  in 
Tom,  but  there  is  one  difficulty  in  my  mind." 

"What  is  that,  father?"  asked  Tom,  anxiously. 

"  The  expense  of  getting  to  California,  and  the 
method  of  raising  the  money ;  I  don't  like  to 
increase  the  mortgage." 

"I  suppose  you  are  right,  father,"  said  Tom, 
slowly.  "I  know  it  is  more  than  I  have  any 
right  to  ask.  I  wouldn't  even  have  mentioned  it 
if  I  hadn't  hoped  to  help  you  to  pay  it  back." 

"That  is  understood,  Tom,"  said  his  father, 
kindly.  "I  know  you  mean  what  you  say,  and 
that  you  would  redeem  your  promise  if  fortune, 
or  rather  Providence,  permitted.  It  is  a  serious 
matter,  however,  and  not  to  be  decided  in  a  hurry. 
We  will  speak  of  it  again." 

Nothing  more  was  said  about  Tom's  plan  till 
after  the  children  had  gone  to  bed.  Then,  as 
Mark  Nelson  and  his  wife  sat  before  the  fire  in 
the  open  fireplace,  the  subject  was  taken  up  anew. 

uMary,"  said  Mark,  "  I  am  beginning  to  think 
favorably  of  Tom's  proposal." 


TOA?S   TRIP  ACROSS   THE   PLAINS.  89 

"How  can  you  say  so,  Mark?"  interrupted  his 
wife.  "It  seems  like  madness  to  send  a  young 
boy  so  far  away." 

"Tom  can't  be  called  a  young  boy;  he  is  now 
sixteen." 

"  But  he  has   never  been  away  from  home." 

"  He   must  go   sometime." 

"If  it  were  only  to  Boston,  or  New  York ;  but 
to  go  more  than  three  thousand  miles  away !  "  and 
the  mother  shuddered. 

"  There  are  dangers  as  great  in  Boston  or  New 
York  as  in  California,  Mary,  to  a  boy  of  Tom's 
age.  He  can't  always  be  surrounded  by  home 
influences." 

"I  wish  we  could  find  employment  for  him  in 
town,"  said  Mrs.  Nelson,  uneasily. 

"That  is  a  mother's  thought,  and  it  would  be 
pleasant  for  all  of  us ;  but  I  doubt  if  it  would 
be  better  for  Tom." 

"Why   not?" 

"  A  boy  who  is  thrown  upon  his  own  guardian 
ship  and  his  own  resources  develops  manliness 
and  self-reliance  sooner  than  at  home.  But  we 


40  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

need  not  take  that  into  consideration ;  there  is 
nothing  to  do  here,  nor  is  there  likely  to  be. 
He  must  go  away  from  home  to  find  employment. 
To  obtain  a  place  in  Boston  or  New  York  requires 
influence  and  friends  in  those  places ;  and  we  can 
hope  for  neither.  In  California  he  will  become  his 
own  employer.  The  gold  mines  are  open  to  all, 
and  he  may  earn  in  a  year  as  much  as  he  could 
in  five  years  in  the  East." 

"Do  you   favor  his  going,   then,   Mark?" 

"  Not  against  your  will,  Mary.  Indeed,  I  should 
not  feel  justified  in  increasing  the  mortgage  upon 
our  little  property  against  your  wish.  That  con 
cerns  us  all." 

"  I  don't  think  so  much  of  that.  I  am  so  afraid 
Tom  would  get  sick  in  California.  What  would 
become  of  the  poor  boy  in  that  case?" 

"  That  is  a  mother's  thought.  I  think  Tom 
would  find  friends,  who  would  not  let  him  suffer. 
He  is  a  manly,  attractive  boy,  though  he  is  ours, 
and  I  think  he  is  well  calculated  to  make  his  way." 

"  That  he  is,"  said  the  mother,  proudly.  "  No 
one  can  help  liking  Tom." 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  41 

"Then  you  see  he  is  likely  to  find  friends. 
Were  he  such  a  boy  as  Sinclair  Hudson,  I  should 
feel  afraid  that  he  would  fare  badly,  if  he  stood 
in  need  of  help  from  others.  Sinclair  is  certainly 
a  very  disagreeable  boy." 

"  Yes,  he  is  ;  and  he  isn't  half  as  smart  as  Tom." 

"A  mother's  vanity,"  said  Mark  Nelson,  smiling. 
"  However,  you  are  right  there.  I  should  consider 
it  a  misfortune  to  have  such  a  cross-grained,  selfish 
son  as  Sinclair.  Squire  Hudson,  with  all  his  wealth, 
is  not  fortunate  in  his  only  child.  There  is  con 
siderable  resemblance  between  father  and  son.  I 
often  wish  that  some  one  else  than  the  squire 
held  the  mortgage  on  our  farm." 

' ;  You  don't  think  he  would  take  advantage  of 
you?" 

"I  don't  think  he  would  be  very  lenient  to 
me  if  I  failed  to  pay  interest  promptly.  He  has 
a  grudge  against  me,  you  know." 

"That  is  nonsense,"  said  Mrs.  Nelson,  blushing, 
for  she  understood  the  allusion. 

"  I  am  glad  he  doesn't  ask  me  to  give  him  a 
mortgage  on  you,  Mary." 


42  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"He  has  forgotten  all  that,"  said  Mrs.  Nelson. 
"I  am  no  longer  }^oung  and  pretty." 

"I  think  you  more  attractive  than  ever,"  said 
the  husband. 

"  Because?  you  are  foolish,"  said  his  wife ;  but 
she  was  well  pleased,  nevertheless.  Poor  as  her 
husband  was,  she  had  never  dreamed  of  regretting 
her  choice. 

"Be  it  so;  but  about  this  affair  of  Tom,  —  what 
shall  I  say  to  him  in  the  morning?" 

Mrs.   Nelson  recovered  her  gravity   instantly. 

"Decide  as  you  think  right,  Mark,"  she  said. 
"  If  you  judge  that  Tom  had  better  go  I  will  do 
my  best  to  become  reconciled  to  his  absence,  and 
set  about  getting  him  ready." 

"It  is  a  great  responsibility,  Mary,"  said  Mark, 
slowly;  "but  I  accept  it.  Let  the  boy  go,  if 
he  wishes.  He  will  leave  our  care,  but  we  can 
trust  him  to  the  care  of  his  heavenly  Father,  who 

-    9k4&< 

will    be    as    near    to    him    in    California     as  ~~af 
home." 

Thus  Tom's  future  was  decided.  His  father  and 
mother  retired  to  bed,  but  not  to  sleep.  They 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  43 

were  parting  already  in  imagination  with  their  first 
born,  and  the  thought  of  that  parting  was  sad 
indeed. 


44  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER; 


CHAPTER  V. 

TOM   RAISES   THE   MONET. 

TOM  got  up  early  the  next  morning  —  in  fact,  he 
was  up  first  in  the  house  —  and  attended  to  his  usual 
"chores."  He  was  splitting  wood  when  his  father 
passed  him  on  the  way  to  the  barn  with  the  milk-pail 
in  his  hand. 

"You  are  up  early,  Tom,"  he  said. 

"Yes,"  answered  our  hero. 

Tom  could  not  help  wondering  whether  his  father 
had  come  to  any  decision  about  letting  him  go  to 
California ;  but  he  did  not  like  to  ask.  In  due 
time  he  would  learn,  of  course.  He  felt  that  he 
should  like  to  have  it  decided  one  way  or  the 
other.  While  his  plans  were  in  doubt  he  felt 
unsettled  and  nervous. 

At  an  early  hour  the  family  gathered  about  the 
breakfast-table.  Tom  noticed  that  his  father  and 
mother  looked  grave,  and  spoke  in  a  subdued  tone, 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  45 

as  if  they  had  something  on  their  minds ;  but  he 
did  not  know  what  to  infer  from  this,  except  that 
they  had  his  prospects  still  in  consideration. 

When  breakfast  was  over,  Mark  Nelson  pushed 
back  his  chair,  and  said,  "  How  soon  can  you  get 
Tom  ready  to  start,  Mary  ?  " 

"Am  I  going,  father?"  asked  Tom,  his  heart 
giving  an  eager  bound. 

"Is  Tom  really  going?"  asked  the  younger 
children,  with  scarcely  less  eagerness. 

"  If  Squire  Hudson  doesn't  go  back  on  his  promise. 
Tom,  you  can  go  with  me  to  the  squire's." 

"How  soon?" 

"  In  about  an  hour.  He  doesn't  breakfast  as  early 
as  we  do.  I  think  he  will  be  ready  to  receive  us  in 
about  an  hour." 

"  Thank  you,  father,"  said  Tom.  "  You  are  doing 
a  great  deal  for  me." 

"  I  can't  do  much  for  }TOU,  my  boy.  I  can 
probably  get  you  to  California,  and  then  you  will 
be  thrown  upon  your  own  exertions." 

"  I  mean  to  work  very  hard.  I  think  I  shall 
succeed." 


46  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"  I  hope  so,  at  least,  Tom.  When  the  time  comes 
to  start  the  other  boys,  I  shall  be  glad  to  have  your 
help  in  doing  it." 

Tom  was  pleased  to  hear  this,  though  it  placed 
upon  his  shoulders  a  new  and  heavy  responsibility. 
He  was  assuming  the  responsibility  not  only  for  his 
own  future,  but  for  that  of  his  brothers.  But  it 
made  him  feel  more  manly,  as  if  the  period  of  his 
dependent  boyhood  were  over,  and  he  had  become 
a  young'  man  all  at  once. 

"  I  hope  I  shan't  disappoint  you,  father,"  he  said.    ' 

"If  you  do,  I  don't  think  it  will  be  your  fault, 
Tom,"  said  his  father,  kindly.  "  Fortune  may  be 
against  you ;  but  we  must  take  the  risk  of  that." 

"  I  don't  know  what  to  think  about  it,  Tom," 
said  his  mother,  in  a  tone  of  doubt  and  mental 
disturbance.  "  I  feel  as  if  you  were  too  young  to 
go  out  in  the  wide  world  to  seek  your  fortune." 

' '  I  am  not  so  very  young,  mother.  I  am  old 
enough  to  make  my  way." 

"So  your  father  says,  and  I  have  yielded  to  his 
judgment ;  but,  Tom,  I  don't  know  how  to  let  you 
go." 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS    THE  PLAINS.  47 

There  were  tears  in  Mrs.  Nelson's  eyes  as  she 
spoke.  Tom  was  moved,  and  if  he  needed  anything 
to  strengthen  him  in  the  good  resolutions  he  had 
formed,  his  mother's  emotion  supplied  it. 

1  'You  shan't  regret  giving  your  consent,  mother," 
he  said  manfully,  and,  rising  from  his  seat,  he  went 
to  his  mother  and  kissed  her. 

"Mary,"  said  Mr.  Nelson,  "you  haven't  answered 
my  question.  How  long  will  it  take  to  get  Tom 
ready?  If  he  is  to  go,  he  may  as  well  start  as 
soon  as  possible." 

"  Let  me  see,"  said  Mrs.  Nelson,  "  how  many  shirts 
have  }TOU  got,  Tom?  " 

"Five." 

"  Are  they  all  in  good  order?  " 

"  I  believe  one  needs  mending." 

"  I  don't  know  whether  that  will  be  enough,"  said 
Mrs.  Nelson,  doubtfully. 

"Mary,"  said  her  husband,  "don't  provide  too 
large  a  supply  of  clothing.  Tom  may  find  it  a 
burden.  Remember  in  California  he  will  have  to 
travel  on  foot  and  carry  his  own  baggage." 

"  Then  I  think  he  is  already  pretty  well  provided. 


48  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;    O72, 

But  some  of  his  clothes  may  need  mending.  That 
won't  take  long,  and  I  will  attend  to  it  at  once." 

"  Perhaps  Squire  Hudson  will  go  back  on  you, 
after  all,"  said  Walter. 

Tom's  face  was  overcast.  That  would  be  a  dis« 
appointment  he  could  not  easily  bear. 

"I  shall  soon  know,"  he  said. 

An  hour  later  Tom  and  his  father  set  out  for 
Squire  Hudson's  residence.  Tom  felt  nervous ;  he 
could  not  well  help  it. 

uTom,"  said  his  father,  "this  is  an  important 
visit  for  you." 

"Yes,   sir,"  said  Tom. 

"  You  are  feeling  nervous,  I  see.  Try  to  take  it 
coolly,  and  don't  feel  too  low-spirited  if  things  don't 
turn  out  as  you  hope." 

"  I  will  try  to  follow  your  advice,  father,  but  I  am 
not  sure  as  I  can." 

"If  you  are  disappointed,  try  to  think  it  is 
for  the  best.  A  boy  of  your  age  had  made  all 
arrangements  to  visit  Europe  with  a  party  of 
friends.  The  day  before  starting,  something  hap 
pened  which  made  it  impossible  for  him  to  go. 


TOM'S    TRIP   ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  49 

For  weeks  he  had  been  looking  forward  with  eager 
anticipation  to  his  journey,  and  now  it  was  in 
definitely  postponed. 

"What    a   terrible    disappointment!'*   said    Tom. 

"  Yes,  it  seemed  so,  but  mark  the  issue.  The 
steamer  was  lost,  and  all  on  board  were  drowned. 
The  disappointment  saved  his  life." 

"  It  might  not  always  turn  out  so,"  objected 
Tom. 

"No,  that  is  true.  Still,  if  we  are  willing  to 
think  that  our  disappointments  are  not  always 
misfortunes,  we  shall  go  through  life  with  more 
cheerfulness  and  content." 

"Still,  I  hope  I  shall  not  be  disappointed  in 
this,"  said  Tom. 

"You  are  perhaps  too  young  to  be  philosoph 
ical,"  said  his  father. 

Mark  Nelson  had  enjoyed  only  the  usual 
advantages  of  education  afforded  by  a  common 
school ;  but  he  was  a  man  of  good  natural 
capacity,  and  more  thoughtful  than  many  in  his 
vocation.  From  him  Tom  inherited  good  natural 
abilities  and  industrious  habits.  It  would  not  be 


50  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

fair,  however,  to  give  all  the  credit  to  his  father. 
Mrs.  Nelson  was  a  superior  woman,  and  all  her 
children  were  well  endowed  by  nature. 

As  they  turned  into  Squire  Hudson's  gravel- 
path,  the  squire  himself  opened  the  front  door. 

"Were  you   coming  to   see   me?"   he   asked. 

"We  would  like  to  speak  with  JTOU  a  few 
minutes,  squire,  if  you  can  spare  the  time." 

"  Oh,  yes,  I  have  nothing  pressing  on  hand," 
said  the  squire,  with  unusual  affability.  "Walk 
in,  Mr.  Nelson." 

He  led  the  way  into  the  room  where  Tom  had 
had  his  interview  with  him  the  day  before. 

"Your  son  did  me  a  good  turn  yesterday,"  he 
said  graciously.  "  He  behaved  in  a  very  credit 
able  manner." 

"  He  told  me  that  he  found  your  pocket-book, 
Squire  Hudson." 

"  Yes ;  it  contained  a  large  sum  of  money. 
Some  boys  would  have  kept  it." 

"None  of  my  boys  would,"  said  Mark  Nelson, 
proudly. 

"Of  course  not.     They're  too  well   brought  up." 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  51 

"  Tom  told  me  that  you  offered  to  advance 
money  enough  to  get  him  to  California,"  said 
Mr.  Nelson,  coming  to  business. 

"  On  satisfactory  security,"  added  the  squire, 
cautiously. 

4 '  You  proposed  to  increase  the  mortgage  on 
my  place?" 

"Yes,"  said  the  squire.  "I  wouldn't  have 
done  it,  though,  neighbor  Nelson,  but  for  the 
good  turn  the  boy  did  me.  I  am  not  at  all 
particular  about  increasing  the  amount  of  the 
mortgage,  but,  if  b}^  so  doing  it  I  can  promote 
Tom's  views,  I  won't  object." 

"Thank  you,    sir,"    said   Tom,    gratefully. 

"  It  is  a  serious  step  for  me  to  take,"  continued 
Mr.  Nelson,  "  for  I  feel  the  incumbrance  to  be  a 
heavy  one  already.  In  fact,  it  is  with  difficulty 
that  I  pay  the  interest.  But  the  time  has  come 
when  Tom  should  start  in  life,  and  in  this  village 
there  seems  to  be  no  opening."  9 

44  None  whatever,"  said  the  squire,  in  a  tone 
of  decision. 

4 'What   do  you  think  of  the   prospects   in   Cali- 


52  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OJZ, 

fornia?"  asked  Mark  Nelson.  "You  are  a  man 
of  business,  and  can  judge  better  than  I.  Are 
the  stories  we  hear  of  fortunes  made  in  a  short 
time  to  be  relied  upon?" 

"As  to  that,"  said  the  squire,  deliberately,  "I 
suppose  we  can't  believe  all  we  hear ;  we  must 
make  some  allowances.  But,  after  all,  there's  no 
doubt  of  the  existence  of  gold  in  large  quantities ; 
I  am  satisfied  of  that." 

"  Then  about  the  wisdom  of  sending  out  a  boy 
like  Tom,  alone ;  do  you  think  it  best  ? " 

"It  depends  altogether  on  the  boy,"  responded 
the  squire.  "If  he  is  honest,  industrious,  and 
energetic,  he  will  make  his  way.  You  know  your 
own  boy  better  than  I  do." 

"He  is  all  you  say,  Squire  Hudson.  I  have 
a  great  deal  of  confidence  in  Tom." 

Tom  looked  at  his  father  gratefully.  Sometimes 
it  does  a  boy  good  to  learn  that  the  older  people 
have  confidence  in  him. 

"Then  let  him  go,"  said  the  squire.  "I  stand 
ready  to  furnish  the  money.  I  think  you  said 
you  needed  two  hundred  dollars." 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  53 

This  question  was  put  to  Tom,  and  the  boy 
answered  in  the  affirmative. 

"Very  well,"  said  the  squire.  "  As  soon  as 
the  necessary  writings  are  made  out,  the  money 
shall  be  ready." 

"It's   all   settled!"   thought  Tom,    triumphantly. 

At  that  moment  Sinclair  Hudson,  the  squire's 
only  son,  opened  the  door  and  looked  into  the 
room. 

"Holloa,  Tom  Nelson,"  said  he,  rather  rudely. 
"What  brings  you  here?" 


54  THE  YOUNO  ADVENTURER; 


CHAPTER    VI. 

TOM  ARRIVES   IN   PITTSBURG. 

"  I  CAME  on  business,  Sinclair,"  answered  Tom, 
smiling. 

"Thomas  is  going  to  California,  Sinclair,"  ex 
plained  Squire  Hudson. 

Sinclair  opened  wide  his  eyes  in  amazement. 
"What  for?"  he  asked. 

"  To  dig  gold  and  make  my  fortune,"  answered 
Tom,  complacently. 

"Come  out   and   tell  me   all   about  it." 

"You  can  go,  Thomas,"  said  Squire  Hudson, 
graciously.  "Your  father  and  I  will  settle  the 
business." 

"Is  it  true  that  you  are  going  to  California?" 
asked  Sinclair,  when  they  were  out  in  the  front 
yard. 

"  Yes." 

"How  soon  do  you  go?" 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  55 

"I    want  to   get   away  in   a   week." 

"  What  has  my  father  to  do  with  it?"  inquired 
Sinclair. 

"  He  is  going  to  lend  me  the  money  to  get 
there." 

uHow  much?" 

"  Two   hundred   dollars." 

"Then  he  is  a  greater  fool  than  I  thought," 
said  Sinclair,  with  characteristic  politeness. 

"Why  do  you  say  that?"  demanded  our  hero, 
justly  nettled. 

"  Because   he'll  never  see  the   money   again." 

"  Yes,  he  will.  My  father  is  responsible  for 
it." 

"  Your  father   is   a   poor  man." 

"He  is  able  to  pay  that,  if  I  don't;  but  I 
hope  he  won't  have  >to." 

"Do  you  really  expect  to  find  gold?"  asked 
Sinclair,  curiously. 

"  Certainly  I  do.  Others  have,  and  why  shouldn't 
I?  I  am  willing  to  work  hard." 

"Do  you   think  you'll  come   home   rich?" 

"  I  hope  so." 


56  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;    O/J, 

"I  have  a  great  mind  to  ask  father  to  let  me 
go  with  you,"  said  Sinclair,  unexpectedly. 

' '  You  wouldn't  like  it.  You  haven't  been 
brought  up  to  work,"  said  Tom,  rather  startled, 
and  not  much  pleased  with  the  proposal,  for 
Sinclair  Hudson  was  about  the  last  boy  he  wished 
as  a  companion. 

"  Oh,  I  wouldn't  go  to  work.  I  would  go  as  a 
gentleman,  to  see  the  country.  Wait  a  minute ; 
I  will  run  in  and  ask  him." 

So  Sinclair  ran  into  the  house,  and  preferred 
his  request. 

"That's  a  wild  idea,  Sinclair,"  said  his  father, 
quickly. 

"Why  is   it?    I'm   as  old   as  Tom  Nelson." 

"  He  is  going  because  it  is  necessary  for  him 
to  earn  his  living." 

"He  will  have  a  splendid  time,"  grumbled  the 
spoiled  son. 

"  You  shall  travel  all  you  want  to  when  you 
are  older,"  said  his  father.  "Now  you  must  get 
an  education." 

"  I  want  to  travel   now." 


TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  57 

"I  will  take  you  to  New  York  the  next  time 
I  go." 

"  Give  me   five   dollars  besides." 

The  money   was   handed  him. 

He  went  out  and  reported  to  Tom  that  he 
was  going  to  travel  all  over  the  world  when  he 
was  a  little  older,  and  had  decided  not  to  go  to 
California  now. 

"If  you  have  money  enough  you  can  go  with 
me,"  he  added,  graciously 

"Thank  you,"  said  Tom,  politely,  though  the 
prospect  of  having  Sinclair  for  a  travelling  com 
panion  did  not  exhilarate  him  much. 

For  a  few  days  Mrs.  Nelson  was  very  busy 
getting  Tom  ready  to  go.  It  was  well,  perhaps, 
that  so  much  needed  to  be  done,  for  it  kept  her 
mind  from  the  thought  of  the  separation. 

The  question  of  which  route  to  take,  whether 
by  steamer  or  across  the  plains,  demanded  con 
sideration.  It  was  finally  decided  that  Tom  should 
go  over  land.  It  was  thought  that  he  might  join 
some  company  at  St.  Joseph,  —  or  St.  Joe,  as  it 
was  then,  and  is  now,  popularly  called,— and  pay 


58  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

his  passage  in  services,  thus  saving  a  good  share 
of  the  two  hundred  dollars.  That  was,  of  course, 
an  important  consideration. 

"How   shall  I   carry  my   money?"   asked   Tom. 

"It  will  be  best  to  take  gold,  and  carry  it 
for  safety  in  a  belt  around  your  waist,"  said  his 
father.  "You  must  be  very  prudent  and  careful, 
or  you  may  be  robbed.  That  would  be  a  serious 
thing  for  you,  as  I  could  not  forward  you  any 
more  money." 

"I  will  be  very  prudent,  father,"  said  Tom. 
"  I  know  the  value  of  money  too  well  to  risk 
losing  it." 

Well,  the  days  of  preparation  were  over  at 
length,  and  Tom  stood  on  the  threshold,  bidding 
good-by  to  his  parents  and  his  brothers  and 
sisters.  He  had  not  realized  till  now  what  it  was 
to  leave  home  on  a  long  journey  of  indefinite 
duration.  He  wanted  to  be  heroic,  but  in  spite 
of  himself  his  eyes  moistened,  and  he  came  near 
breaking  down. 

"I  don't  know  how  to  part  with  you,  my  dear 
child,"  said  his  mother. 


TOMiS   TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  69 

"Think  that  it  is  all  for  the  best,  mother," 
said  Tom,  choking.  "Think  of  the  time  when  I 
will  come  back  with  plenty  of  money." 

"God  bless  you,  Tom!"  said  his  father. 
"  Don't  forget  j^our  good  habits  and  principles 
when  3*011  are  far  away  from  us." 

"I   won't,   father." 

So   Tom's   long  journey   commenced. 

Tom's  plan  was  to  go  to  St.  Louis  first.  His 
father  made  some  inquiries  about  the  route,  and 
recommended  going  to  Pittsburg  by  cars,  then  to 
take  the  boat  on  the  Ohio  river  to  Cincinnati. 
This  seemed  to  Tom  to  afford  a  pleasant  variety, 
and  he  gladty  accepted  the  suggestion. 

As  they  were  approaching  Pittsburg  Tom  occupied 
a  whole  seat  on  the  left-hand  side  of  the  car.  A 
brisk,  plausible  young  man,  of  twenty-five,  passing 
through  the  aisle,  observed  the  vacant  seat,  and, 
pausing,  inquired,  "Is  this  seat  engaged?" 

"No,  sir,"  answered  Tom. 

"  Then,  if  you  have  no  objection,  I  will  occupy  it." 

"Certainly,  sir." 

The    young    man    was    nicely    dressed.      In    his 


60  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;    OR, 

bosom  sparkled  a  diamond  pin,  and  he  wore  three 
or  four  rings  on  his  fingers. 

"  He  must  be  rich,"  thought  Tom,  who  was  of 
an  observant  turn. 

"  A  pleasant  day  to  travel,"  remarked  the  young 
man,  affably. 

"Yes,  it  is,"  said  Tom. 

"  Do  you  go  farther  than  Pittsburg?  " 

4 'Yes,  I  am  going  to  California,"  answered  Tom, 
proudly. 

"  Is  it  possible  ?     Are  you  alone  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  You  are  young  to  travel  so  far." 

"  I  am  sixteen  ;  that  is,  I  shall  be  in  two  or  three 
weeks." 

"  Still,  you  are  young  to  take  such  a  journey 
alone.  Are  you  to  join  friends  there?" 

"No;  I   am  going  to   seek   my  fortune." 

Once  more  the  young  man  looked  surprised,  and 
scanned  Tom  curiously. 

"  I  presume  you  are  from  the  city,"  he  observed, 
with  a  smile  which  Tom  would  not  have  under 
stood  if  he  had  noticed  it.  The  truth  is,  that 


TRIP  ACROSS    THE  PLAINS.  61 

Tom  bore  evident  marks  of  being  a  country  boy. 
I  don't  like  to  say  that  he  looked  "green,"  but 
he  certainly  lacked  the  air  that  distinguishes  a 
town-bred  boy.  His  companion  evidently  under 
stood  boy  nature,  for  Tom  was  much  flattered  by 
the  supposition  that  he  was  a  city  boy. 

"  No,"  he  answered,  almost  as  if  apologizing 
for  a  discreditable  fact;  "I  am  from  the  country." 

"You  don't  say  so!"  exclaimed  the  other,  in 
apparent  surprise.  "I  thought,  from  your  appear 
ance,  that  you  were  from  the  city.  How  do  you 
go  from  Pittsburg?" 

"By  river   to   Cincinnati." 

"Do  you  really?  I  am  glad  to  hear  it;  I  am 
going  there  nr^self.  We  shall  be  fellow-passengers. 
That  will  be  pleasant." 

Tom  thought  it  would.  His  companion  seemed 
very  pleasant  and  social,  and  he  had  been  feeling 
lonely,  as  was  only  natural. 

"Yes,  it  will,"  he  said. 

"  By  the  way,  as  we  may  be  thrown  together, 
more  or  less,  we  ought  to  know  each  other.  My 
name  is  Milton  Graham.  My  father  is  a  rich 


62  THE  YOUNG  ADVENTURER;  OR, 

merchant  in  New  York.  I  am  travelling  partly 
on  business  for  my  father's  firm,  and  partly  for 
pleasure." 

"  My  name  is  Thomas  Nelson ;  most  people  call 
me  Tom,"  said  our  hero. 

"Then  I  will  call  you  Tom,"  said  Graham. 
"I  like  the  name.  I  have  a  favorite  cousin  named 
Tom.  Poor  boy !  —  he  is  an  orphan.  His  father 
died  two  yearn  ago,  leaving  him  two  hundred 
thousand  dollars.  My  father  is  his  guardian.  He 
is  about  your  age  ;  only  not  quite  so  good-looking." 

Tom  blushed.  He  had  not  thought  much  of  his 
own  looks,  but  he  was  human,  and  no  one  is 
displeased  at  being  considered  good-looking.  Mr. 
Graham  spoke  meditatively,  as  if  he  was  not  in 
tending  to  pay  a  compliment,  only  mentioning  a 
fact,  and  Tom  did  not  feel  called  upon  to  thank 
him  for  this  nattering  remark. 

"That  is  a   great   deal  of  money,"   he  said. 

"  Yes,  it  is.  All  my  relations  are  rich;  that 
is,  except  one  uncle,  who  probably  is  not  worth 
over  twenty  thousand  dollars." 

Tom    was    impressed.     A    man    who    could    talk 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE    PLAINS.  63 

of  such  a  sura  in  such  terms  must  certainly  be 
very  rich. 

u  Do  you  know,  Mr.  Graham,"  he  inquired, 
"  how  soon  the  steamer  will  start  after  we  reach 
Pittsburg?" 

"  No  ;  but  I  can  find  out  after  we  reach  there." 

On  arriving  at  Pittsburg  inquiry  was  made, 
and  it  was  ascertained  that  the  steamer  ' '  River 
Belle"  would  leave  at  nine  o'clock  the  following 
morning. 

"  We  shall  have  to  go  to  a  hotel,"  said  Graham. 

"Is  there  any  cheap  hotel  here?"  asked  Tom, 
prudently. 

"  Yes ;  there  is  the  Pittsburg  House.  Suppose 
we  both  go  there." 

"All  right." 

Mr.  Graham  had  only  a  small  carpet-bag,  smaller 
than  Tom's.  They  took  them  in  their  hands,  and 
walked  for  a  short  distance,  till  they  reached  a 
plain  building,  which,  from  the  sign,  Tom  discov 
ered  to  be  the  hotel  which  had  been  mentioned. 

"Shall  we  room  together?  It  will  cost  less," 
said  Milton  Graham,  carelessly. 


64  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"  If  you  please,"   said  Tom. 

He  was  lonely  and  thought  he  would  like  com 
pany.  Besides,  it  would  be  cheaper,  and  that  was 
a  weighty  consideration. 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACItOSS   THE  PLAIN'S.  65 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE    PITTSBURG  HOUSE. 

TOM  and  his  companion  entered  the  hotel.  At 
the  left  was  the  clerk's  desk.  Milton  Graham 
naturally  took  the  lead.  He  took  a  pen  from 
the  clerk,  and  entered  his  name  with  a  flourish. 
Then  he  handed  the  pen  to  Tom,  who  followed 
his  example,  omitting  the  flourish,  however. 

"This  young  gentleman  will  room  with  me," 
said  Graham. 

"All  right,  sir,"  said  the  clerk.  "Will  you 
go  up  to  your  room  now  ? " 

"Yes." 

The  porter  was  summoned,  and  handed  the 
key  of  No.  16.  He  took  the  two  carpet-bags, 
and  led  the  way  upstairs,  for  the  Pittsburg 
House  had  no  elevator.  Even  in  the  best  hotels 
at  that  time  this  modern  convenience  was  not 
to  be  found. 
5 


66  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    0/2, 

The  door  of  No.  16  was  opened,  revealing  a 
plain  room,  about  twelve  feet  square,  provided, 
as  Tom  was  glad  to  see,  with  two  narrow  beds. 

"Have  you  got  a  quarter,  Tom?"  asked  Gra 
ham. 

Tom   drew   one   from   his   pocket. 

Graham  took  it  and  handed  it  to  the  porter, 
who  expressed  his  thanks. 

"  It's  always  customary  to  fee  the  porter,"  he 
said,  carelessly,  in  answer  to  Tom's  look  of 
surprise. 

"What  for?" 

"For   bringing  up   the   baggage." 

"Twenty-five  cents  for  bringing  up  two  small 
carpet-bags !  That's  pretty  high.  I'd  have  brought 
them  up  myself,  if  I  had  known,"  said  Tom, 
dissatisfied,  for  he  felt  that  this  fee  was  hardly 
in  accordance  with  his  resolutions  of  economy. 

"Oh,  he  expects  it.  It's  his  regular  perquisite. 
When  you've  travelled  more  you'll  understand." 

"  How  much  are  we  to  pay  for  our  accommo 
dations?"  asked  Tom,  anxiously. 

"  About  two   dollars   apiece,   I   reckon." 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  67 

"That's  more  than  I  can  afford,"  said  Tom, 
alarmed. 

"  Perhaps  it  is  less,  as  we  room  together." 

"  I  hope  so,  for  I  can't  afford  to  be  extrava 
gant." 

"Do  you  call  two  dollars  a  day  extravagant?" 
asked  Graham,  smiling. 

"It  is  for  me.     My  father  is  poor." 

"Oh,  it'll  be  all  right.  I'll  fix  it  with  the 
clerk.  If  you  are  ready,  suppose  we  go  down 
and  have  some  supper." 

To  this  Tom  had  no  objection.  He  washed 
his  hands  and  face,  and  brushed  his  hair;  then 
he  declared  himself  ready. 

Tom  was  hungry,  and  did  justice  to  the  sup 
per,  which  he  found  very  good.  As  they  left 
the  table,  and  reentered  the  office  of  the  hotel, 
Milton  Graham  said,  "I  am  going  to  make  a 
call  on  some  friends.  Sorry  to  leave  you,  but 
we  shall  meet  later  in  the  evening." 

"All  right,"   said   Tom. 

On  the  whole  he  did  not  regret  being  alone. 
He  began  to  doubt  whether  Graham  would  make* 


68  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

a  desirable  travelling  companion.  Tom  felt  the 
need  of  economy,  and  he  saw  that  his  companion 
would  make  it  difficult.  If  a  fee  must  be  paid, 
it  was  fair  to  divide  it ;  but  the  porter's  fee  had 
come  out  of  Tom's  pocket. 

' '  Didn't  he  have  a  quarter,  I  wonder  ? " 
thought  our  hero. 

It  was  a  small  matter,  but  economy  must  be 
gin  in  small  matters,  or  it  is  not  likely  to  be 
practised  at  all. 

He  took  the  opportunity  to  go  to  the  desk 
and  ascertain  the  sum  likely  to  be  charged  for 
his  accommodations. 

"How  long  do  you  stay?"  asked  the  clerk, 
pleasantly. 

"  Till  to-morrow  morning.  I  am  going  to  sail 
in  the  '  River  Belle.'  " 

"  Then  we  shall  charge  you  a  dollar  and  a 
half." 

This  seemed  large  to  Tom,  but  he  made  no 
objection. 

"How  much  would  it  have  been,  if  I  had 
roomed  alone?"  he  asked. 


TRIP   ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  69 

44  The  same.  We  make  no  change  in  our 
terms  on  that  account/' 

44  Mr.  Graham  told  me  it  would  be  cheaper 
to  room  together." 

uHe  is  your  room-mate,   isn't   he?" 

"Yes,    sir." 

"  He  is  mistaken,  so  far  as  our  house  is  con 
cerned.  I  suppose  you  have  known  him  for 
some  time." 

44  No,  sir.  I  met  him  on  the  cars  yesterday 
afternoon  for  the  first  time." 

' '  Then  you  don't  know  anything  about  him  ? " 

"Oh,  yes,"  answered  Tom.  "He  is  the  son  of  a 
rich  merchant  in  New  York." 

44  Who  told  you  that?" 

44  He  did." 

The  clerk  was  a  man  of  middle  age.  At  home  he 
had  a  son  of  Tom's  age,  and  this  led  him  to  feel  a 
friendly  interest  in  our  hero. 

44 1  suppose  you  have  never  travelled  much,"  he 
said. 

44  No,  sir.     This  is  my  first  journey." 

44  Are  you  going  far?" 


70  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER j    ORy 

"  To  California." 

"  That  is  a  long  journey  for  a  boy  of  your  age," 
said  the  clerk,  looking  surprised. 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  but  I  can't  get  anything  to  do  at  home, 
and  I  am  going  to  California  to  seek  my  fortune." 

"I  hope  you  will  be  successful,"  said  the  clerk, 
with  hearty  sympathy.  "  Will  you  let  me  give  you 
a  piece  of  advice  ?  " 

"I  shall  be  very  glad  of  it,  sir,"  responded  Tom. 
u  I  find  I  am  quite  inexperienced." 

"Then  don't  trust  strangers  too  readily.  It  is 
dangerous." 

"Do  you  refer  to  Mr.  Graham?"  asked  Tom, 
startled. 

"Yes,  I  refer  to  him,  or  any  other  chance  ac 
quaintance." 

u  Don't  you  think  he  is  all  right?"  asked  our  hero, 
anxiously. 

' '  I  don't  think  he  is  the  son  of  a  rich  merchant  in 
New  York." 

"  Then  why  should  he  tell  me  so? " 

Tom  was  green,  and  I  have  no  intention  of  con 
cealing  it. 


TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  71 

"  I  can't  tell  what  his  designs  may  be.  Did  you 
tell  him  that  you  were  going  to  California?" 

1  'Yes,  sir." 

"  Then  he  will,  of  course,  conclude  that  }-ou  have 
money.  Did  you  tell  him  where  you  keep  it?" 

"No,  sir.     I  keep  it  in  a  belt  around  my  waist." 

"  You  are  too  ready  to  tell  that,  though  with  me 
the  information  is  safe.  You  are  to  room  together. 
What  will  be  easier  then  for  your  companion  to  rob 
you  during  the  night?" 

"  I'd  better  take  a  room  alone,"  said  Tom,  now 
thoroughly  alarmed. 

"I  should  advise  you  to,  in  most  cases,  but  at 
present  it  may  be  as  well  to  let  things  remain  as 
they  are,  as  it  will  save  an  awkward  explanation." 

"  But  I  don't  want  to  be  robbed." 

"We  have  a  safe  in  the  office, — there  it  is,  —  in 
which  we  deposit  articles  of  value  intrusted  to  us 
by  our  guests.  Then  we  become  responsible  for 
them.  I  advise  you  to  leave  your  money  with  us 
over  night." 

"  I  will,"  said  Tom,  relieved.  "  I  shall  have  to  go 
to  my  room  to  remove  it." 


72  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"Very  well.  If  you  have  a  watch,  or  any  other 
valuable,  it  will  be  well  to  put  those  in  our  charge 
also." 

1  'No,  sir,  I  have  nothing  of  consequence  but  the 
money." 

The  belt  of  money  was  deposited  in  the  safe,  and 
Tom  felt  relieved.  He  began  to  realize  for  the 
first  time  the  need  of  prudence  and  caution.  It  had 
never  occurred  to  him  that  a  nice,  gentlemanly- 
looking  man,  like  Milton  Graham,  was  likely  to 
rob  him  of  his  scanty  means.  Even  now  he  thought 
there  must  be  some  mistake.  Still  he  felt  that  he 
had  done  the  right  thing  in  depositing  the  money 
with  the  clerk.  The  mere  thought  of  losing  it,  and 
finding  himself  high  and  dry,  —  stranded,  so  to 
speak, — hundreds  of  miles  from  home,  made  him 
shudder.  On  the  whole,  Tom  had  learned  a  valuable, 
though  an  unpleasant,  lesson.  The  young  are  by 
nature  trustful.  They  are  disposed  to  put  confi 
dence  in  those  whom  they  meet,  even  for  the  first 
time.  Unhappily,  in  a  world  where  there  is  so  much 
of  evil  as  there  is  in  ours,  such  confidence  is 
not  justified.  There  are  too  many  who  make  it  a 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  73 

business  to    prey  on  their  fellows,    and    select    in 
preference  the  young  and  inexperienced. 

It  was  only  seven  o'clock.  Tom  had  a  curiosit}' 
to  see  the  city  of  Pittsburg,  with  whose  name  he 
had  been  familiar.  So,  after  parting  with  his 
treasure,  he  went  out  for  a  walk.  He  did  not 
much  care  where  he  went,  since  all  was  alike  new 
to  him.  He  ascertained,  on  inquiry,  that  Smithfield 
street  was  the  principal  business  thoroughfare.  He 
inquired  his  way  thither,  and  walked  slowly  through 
it,  his  attention  fully  occupied  by  what  he  saw. 


74  THE  YOUNG  ADVENTURER;  OR. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

GRAHAM   SHOWS    HIMSELF   IN   HIS    TRUE    COLORS. 

TOM  strayed  into  a  street  leading  from  the  main 
thoroughfare.  Presently  he  came  to  a  brilliantly 
lighted  liquor  saloon.  As  he  paused  in  front  of 
the  door,  a  heavy  hand  was  laid  upon  his  shoulder, 
and,  looking  up,  he  met  the  glance  of  a  well-dressed 
gentleman,  rather  portly,  whose  flushed  face  and 
uncertain  gait  indicated  his  condition.  He  leaned 
rather  heavily  upon  Tom,  apparently  for  support, 
for  he  seemed  to  have  been  drinking  more  than 
was  good  for  him. 

"My  young  friend,"  he  said,  u  come  in,  and  take 
a  drink." 

"Thank  you,  sir,  but  I  would  rather  not,"  said 
Tom,  startled. 

"  It  won't  hurt  you.     It   don't  hurt   me." 

As  he  uttered  these  last  words  he  came  near 
falling.  In  his  effort  to  save  himself  he  clutched 


TOM^S   TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  75 

Tom  by  the  arm,  and  nearly  pulled  him  over. 
Our  hero  was  anxious  to  get  away. 

"Are  you  sure  it  don't  hurt  you?"  he  could 
not  help  saying. 

"Do  you  think  I'm  drunk?"  demanded  the 
other. 

"  I  think  you've  taken  more  then  is  good  for 
you,  sir,"  Tom  answered,  bravely. 

"  I  guess  you're  right,"  muttered  the  gentleman, 
tiying  to  stand  upright.  "The  drink's  gone  to 
my  legs.  That's  strange.  Does  it  ever  go  to 
your  legs?" 

"  I   never   drink,    sir." 

"  You're  a  most  extraor'nary  young  man," 
hiccoughed  Tom's  new  acquaintance. 

"  I  must  bid  you  good-night,  sir,"  said  our 
hero,  anxious  to  get  away. 

"Don't   go.     I   can't  get    home   alone." 

"Where   do    3^011   live,    sir?" 

"I  live  in   the   country." 

"Are  you   staying   at   a   hotel?" 

"  Yes,  —  Pittsburg  House.  Know  Pittsburg 
House?" 


76  THE  YOUNG  ADVENTURER;  OR, 

"Yes,  sir.  I  am  sta}ring  there  myself.  Shall 
I  lead  you  there?  You'd  better  not  drink  any 
more." 

"  Jus'  you  say,  my  young  frien'.  You  know 
best." 

It  was  not  a  pleasant,  or,  indeed,  an  easy  task 
to  lead  home  the  inebriate,  for  he  leaned  heavily 
on  Tom,  and,  being  a  large  man,  it  was  as  much 
as  our  hero  could  do  to  get  him  along.  As 
they  were  walking  along  Tom  caught  sight  of 
his  room-mate,  Milton  Graham,  just  turning  into 
a  saloon,  in  company  with  two  other  young  men. 
They  were  laughing  loudly,  and  seemed  in  high 
spirits.  Graham  did  not  recognize  Tom. 

"I  hope  he  won't  come  home  drunk,"  thought 
our  hero.  "  It  seems  to  me  it  is  fashionable  to 
drink  here." 

Tom's  experience  of  city  life  was  very  limited. 
It  was  not  long  before  he  learned  that  Pitts- 
burg  was  by  no  means  exceptional  in  this  re 
spect. 

He  ushered  his  companion  safely  into  the  hotel, 
and  then  a  servant  took  charge  of  him,  and  led 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE  PLAINS.  77 

him  to  his  room.  Tom  sat  up  a  little  while 
longer,  reading  a  paper  he  found  in  the  office, 
and  then  went  to  bed. 

"  I  suppose  Mr.  Graham  will  come  home  late," 
he  said  to  himself.  "I  must  leave  the  door 
unlocked." 

He  soon  went  to  sleep.  How  long  he  slept 
he  did  not  know,  but  suddenly  awoke  after  an 
interval.  Opening  his  eyes  he  became  conscious 
that  Graham  had  returned.  He  discovered  some 
thing  more.  His  room-mate,  partially  undressed, 
and  with  his  back  turned  to  Tom,  was  engaged 
in  searching  our  hero's  pockets.  This  discovery 
set  Tom  broad  awake  at  once.  He  was  not 
frightened,  but  rather  amused  when  he  thought 
of  Graham's  disappointment.  He  did  not  think 
it  best  to  spoak,  but  counterfeited  sleep. 

"I  wonder  where  the  boy  keeps  his  money," 
he  heard  Graham  mutter.  "Perhaps  it  is  in  his 
coat-pocket.  No,  there  is  nothing  but  a  hand 
kerchief.  He's  more  careful  than  I  gave  him 
credit  for.  Perhaps  it  is  under  his  pillow." 

He   laid   down   the   clothes,   and   approached   the 


78  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

bed.  Tom,  with  some  effort,  kept  his  eyes  firmly 
closed. 

Graham  slid  his  hand  lightly  under  the  pillow, 
but  withdrew  it  with  an  exclamation  of  dis 
appointment. 

"He  must  have  some  money,"  be  muttered. 
"Ah,  I  have  it!  It  is  in  his  valise." 

He  approached  Tom's  valise,  but  it  was  locked. 
He  drew  out  a  bunch  of  keys,  and  tried  one 
after  the  other,  but  in  vain.  Our  hero  feared  he 
might  resort  to  violent  means  of  opening  it,  and 
turned  in  bed.  Graham  wheeled  round  quickly. 

Tom  stretched,   and  opened  his    eyes  languidly. 

"Is   that  you,   Mr.    Graham?"   he   asked. 

"Yes,"  answered  Graham,  nonchalantly,  pro 
ceeding  to  undress  himself.  "  Have  you  been 
abed  long?" 

"  I  don't  know,"  answered  Tom.  "  What  time 
is  it?" 

"Haven't  you   got    a   watch?" 

"No,    I* am   not  rich  enough." 

"It  is  one  o'clock.  I  hadn't  seen  my  friend 
for  a  long  time,  and  couldn't  get  away  till  late. 


TOA?S   TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  79 

By  the  way,  have  you  got  a  key  about  you? 
I  can't  open  my  carpet-bag." 

Tom  thought  of  suggesting  the  bunch  of  keys 
in  Graham's  pocket,  but  decided  not  to. 

"  My  key  is   in  my  pants  pocket." 

"Suppose  you  get  it,"  said  Graham.  "I  don't 
like  to  feel  in  another  person's  pocket.  There 
might  be  some  money  there." 

This  was  very  scrupulous  for  one  who  had 
already  searched  all  Tom's  pockets  thoroughly. 

Our  hero  got  up,  and  got  the  key  for  his 
room-mate. 

"  No,  it  won't  fit,"  said  the  young  man,  after 
a  brief  trial.  "It  is  too  large." 

Tom  replaced  the  key  in  his  pocket,  confident 
that  Graham  would  in  the  course  of  the  night 
use  it  to  open  his  valise.  This,  however,  did 
not  trouble  him. 

' '  He  won't  think  it  worth  while  to  steal  my 
shirts  or  stockings,"  he  reflected,  "  and  the  hand 
kerchiefs  are  not  worth  taking." 

"  It   will   be   rather  awkward  if  I   can't  find  my 


80  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

keys/'  said  Graham,  craftily.  u  I  keep  my  money 
in  my  valise." 

He  thought  his  unsophisticated  companion  would 
reveal  in  turn  where  he  kept  his  money ;  but  Tom 
only  said,  "  That  is  a  good  place,"  and,  turning 
over,  closed  his  eyes  again. 

During  the  night  Tom's  valise  was  opened,  as 
he  ascertained  in  a  simple  way.  In  the  morning 
he  found  that  the  key  was  in  the  right-hand  pocket 
instead  of  the  left,  in  which  he  had  placed  it. 

Upon  Graham's  last  failure  he  began  to  sus 
pect  what  Tom  had  done  with  his  money. 

"  The  boy  isn't  so  geeen  as  I  thought,"  he  said 
to  himself.  u  Curse  his  prudence  !  I  must  get  the 
money  somehow,  for  I  am  precious  hard  up." 

He  got  up  early,  when  Tom  was  yet  asleep, 
and  went  down  to  the  office. 

"  Good-morning,"  he  said  to  the  clerk,  affably. 

"Good-morning,  sir." 

"  My  young  friend  and  room-mate  left  his  money 
with  you  last  night.  Please  deliver  it  to  me." 

"What  is  the  number  of  your  room?"  asked 
the  clerk,  quietly. 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  81 

"  No.    16.     Tom  Nelson  is   my  room-mate." 

"Why  doesn't  he  come  for  it  himself?"  inquired 
the  hotel-clerk,  with  a  searching  glance  at  Graham. 

"He  wishes  me  to  buy  his  steamboat  ticket," 
answered  Graham,  coolly.  "  He  is  going  down  the 
river  in  my  charge." 

uAre  you  his   guardian?" 

"Yes,"  answered  Graham,  with  cool  effrontery. 
"  He  is  the  son  of  an  acquaintance  of  mine,  and 
I  naturally  feel  an  interest  in  the  boy." 

"  He  told  me  he  never  met  you  till  yesterday." 

Graham  was  rather  taken  aback,  but  he  recov 
ered  himself  quickly. 

"  That's  pretty  cool  in  Tom,"  he  returned,  shrug 
ging  his  shoulders.  "I  understand  it,  though." 

"I  am  glad  you  do,"  said  the  clerk,  sarcasti 
cally,  "for  it  doesn't  look  to  me  at  all  consistent 
with  what  you  represent." 

"The  fact  is,"  said  Graham,  plausibly,  "Tom 
has  a  feeling  of  independence,  and  doesn't  like  to 
have  it  supposed  that  he  is  under  anybody's  pro 
tection.  That  accounts  for  what  he  told  you.  It 
isn't  right,  though,  to  misrepresent".  I  must  give 
6 


82  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER',    OR, 

him  a  scolding.  I  am  in  a  little  of  a  hurry,  so 
if  you  will  kindly  give  me  the  boy's  money  —  " 

"  It  won't  do,  Mr.  Graham,"  said  the  clerk, 
very  firmly.  "The  money  was  put  in  our  charge 
by  the  boy,  and  it  will  be  delivered  only  to 
him." 

"You  seem  to  be  very  suspicious,"  said  Gra 
ham,  loftily.  "  Hand  me  my  bill,  if  you  please. 
I  will  breakfast  elsewhere." 

The  bill  was  made  out,  and  paid.  Five  minutes 
later,  Milton  Graham,  with  an  air  of  outraged  virtue, 
stalked  out  of  the  hotel,  quite  forgetting  the  young 
friend  who  was  under  his  charge. 

When  Tom  came  downstairs  he  was  told  of  the 
attempt  to  get  possession  of  his  money. 

"  I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  not  letting 
him  have  it,"  he  said.  "He  searched  my  clothes 
and  valise  during  the  night;  but  I  said  noth 
ing,  for  I  knew  he  would  find  nothing  worth  tak 
ing." 

"He  is  a  dangerous  companion.  If  you  ever 
meet  him  again,  I  advise  you  to  give  him  a  wide 
berth." 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  83 

"I  certainly  shall  follow  your  advice.  If  you 
had  not  warned  me  against  him  he  would  have 
stolen  my  money  during  the  night." 


84  THE    YOUXG   ADVENTURER j    OR, 


CHAPTER  IX. 
THE  "RIVER  BELLE." 

As  Tom  took  his  place  at  the  breakfast-table 
he  mechanically  lifted  his  eyes  and  glanced  at  his 
neighbors.  Directly  opposite  hirn  sat  the  gentle 
man  whom  he  had  brought  home  the  evening  before. 
Now  he  looked  sober  and  respectable.  Indeed  he 
looked  as  if  he  might  be  a  person  of  some  promi 
nence.  He  met  Tom's  glance,  and  recognized  him. 

' '  I  think  you  are  the  boy  who  came  home  with 
me,  last  evening,"  he  said. 

"Yes,  sir,"  answered  Tom,  rather  embarrassed. 

"I  am  afraid  I  was  not  quite  myself,"  con 
tinued  the  stout  gentleman. 

"Not   quite,  sir." 

'•I  ought  to  be  ashamed  of  myself,  and  I  am. 
I  don't  often  allow  myself  to  be  caught  in  that 
way.  You  did  me  a  good  service." 

"  You   are   quite   welcome,    sir." 


TOM'S    TRIP   ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  85 

"I  had  a  good  deal  of  mone}T  with  me,  and, 
if  I  had  drank  any  more,  I  should  probably  have 
been  robbed." 

4 '  Why  did  you  run  such  a  risk,  sir  ? "  Tom 
could  not  help  asking. 

"Because  I  was  a  fool,"  said  the  other,  bluntly. 
"  I  have  a  taste  for  drink,  but  when  I  am  at 
home  I  keep  it  under  control." 

"Then  you   don't  live  in  Pittsburg,    sir?" 

"No.  My  home  is  in  one  of  the  river  towns  in 
Ohio.  I  came  to  Pittsburg  to  collect  money  due 
me  for  produce,  and  but  for  you  should  probably 
have  carried  none  of  it  home." 

"I  am  very  glad  to  be  of  service  to  you," 
said  our  hero,  sincerely. 

"  What  are  your  plans,  my  young  friend?  I 
suppose  }'ou  are  only  a  visitor  in  this  city." 

"I  am  on  my  way  to  California.  I  expect  to 
sail  in  the  ;  River  Belle '  at  nine  o'clock." 

"Then  we  shall  be  fellow-passengers,  and  I 
shall  have  a  chance  to  become  better  acquainted 
with  you.  You  are  young  to  go  to  California 
alone.  You  are  alone,  —  are  you  not?" 


86  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER}    OR, 

"Yes,   sir." 

They  went  down  to  the  boat  together,  and  on 
the  way  Tom  told  his  story.  He  learned  that 
his  acquaintance  was  Mr.  Nicholas  Waterbury ; 
that  he  had  been  a  member  of  the  Ohio  Legis 
lature,  and,  as  he  inferred,  was  a  prominent  citizen 
of  the  town  in  which  he  lived. 

"I  should  be  very  much  ashamed  to  have 
them  hear  at  home  how  I .  had  forgotten  myself," 
said  Mr.  Waterbury. 

"It  need  not  be  known,"  said  Tom.  "I  shall 
not  mention  it  to  any  one." 

" Thank  you,"  said  Mr.  Waterbury.  "I  would 
rather  you  did  not,  as  the  news  might  reach 
my  home." 

"Where   do  you  live,    sir?" 

"In  Marietta.  I  shall  be  glad  to  have  you 
leave  the  boat  there,  and  stay  a  day  or  two 
with  me." 

"Thank  you,  sir,  but  I  am  in  a  huriy  to 
reach  California,  on  my  father's  account.  I  want 
to  send  back  as  soon  as  possible  the  money  he 
raised  to  pay  my  expenses  out." 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  87 

"That  is  very  commendable;  I  can  enter  into 
your  feelings.  I  should  like  to  show  my  obliga 
tion  to  you  in  some  way." 

"It  is  not  worth  thinking  about,  sir,"  said 
Tom,  modestly. 

"  Permit  me  to  disagree  with  you.  Why,  my 
young  friend,  how  much  money  do  you  think  I 
had  with  me  ? " 

"I  don't   know,  sir." 

"Upwards   of  six  hundred   dollars." 

As  Mr.  Waterbury  uttered  these  words,  a  young 
man,  very  dark,  with  narrow  black  whiskers, 
passed  them.  He  darted  a  quick  glance  at  the 
speaker,  and  walked  rapidly  on.  Tom  noticed 
him,  but  not  with  attention. 

"That  is  a  good  deal  of  money,  sir,"  he  re 
marked. 

"It  would  have  been  a  good  deal  to  Jose," 
said  Mr.  Waterbur}',  "  and  I  have  no  doubt  I 
should  have  lost  it,  if  it  had  not  been  for 
you." 

"I  haven't  so  much  money  as  you,  but  I  came 
near  losing  it  last  night." 


88  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"  How   was   that?"    asked  Tom's   new   acquaint 
ance,  with  curiosity. 

Tom  explained  the  attempt  of  his  room-mate 
to  rob  him. 

/    "It  would    have    been    a    serious    loss   to   you, 
my  young   friend." 

"It  would  have  broken  up  all  my  plans,  and 
I  should  have  had  to  work  my  way  home,  greatly 
disappointed." 

"You  will  need  to  be  careful  about  forming 
acquaintances.  There  are  exceptions,  however.  I 
am  a  new  acquaintance ;  but  I  don't  think  you 
need  fear  me." 

"No,    sir,"   said  Tom,   smiling. 

"While  I  have  received  a  great  service  from 
you,  who  are  a  new  acquaintance.  But  here  we 
are  at  the  steamer." 

The  "River  Belle"  lay  at  her  pier.  Tom  and 
his  companion  went  on  board.  Both  secured 
tickets,  and  Tom  provided  himself  with  a  state 
room,  for  he  expected  to  remain  on  board  till 
they  reached  Cincinnati.  Freight  of  various  kinds 
was  being  busily  stowed  away  below.  It  was  a 


TOMS    TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  89 

ousy  and  animated  scene,  and  Tom  looked  on 
with  interest. 

"Have  you  ever  been  on  a  steamboat  before?" 
asked  Mr.  Waterbury. 

"  No,  sir.  I  have  never  travelled  any  to  speak 
of  before  leaving  home  on  this  journey,  replied 
Tom." 

"  It  will  be  a  pleasant  variety  for  you,  then, 
though  the  scenery  is  tame.  However,  some  of 
the  river-towns  are  pretty." 

"  I   am   sure   I   shall  like   it,  sir." 

"I  wish  I  were  going  all  the  way  with  yon, — 
I  mean  as  far  as  Cincinnati,"  said  Mr.  Water- 
bury. 

"  I   wish  you   were,   sir." 

"  I  have  a  great  mind  to  do  it,"  said  the 
gentleman,  musingly.  "  I  should  have  to  go  very 
soon  on  business,  at  any  rate,  and  I  can  attend 
to  it  now  just  as  well  as  later." 

"  I  shall  be  very  glad  if  you  can  make  it  con 
venient,  sir.  We  might  occupy  the  same  state 
room." 

"Are  you   not    afraid    that    I    shall  follow   the 


90  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

example  of  your  Pittsburg  room-mate?"  asked 
Mr.  Waterbury,  smiling. 

"  I  have  less  to  lose  than  you,"  answered 
Tom.  ''Besides,  I  shall  have  to  have  a  room 
mate,  as  there  are  two  berths." 

"Precisely,  and  I  might  be  safer  than  some.  I 
have  a  great  mind  to  keep  on.  I  shall  see 
some  one  on  the  pier  in  Marietta  by  whom  I 
can  send  word  to  my  family.  By  the  way,  I 
have  a  son  about  your  age,  and  a  daughter 
two  years  younger." 

"Have  you,   sir?"    asked  Tom,    with   interest. 

"  I  should  like  you  to  meet  them.  Perhaps 
•  you  may  some  day." 

"I   hope   I   may,"   said    Tom,   politely 

"I  am  a  manufacturer,"  continued  Mr.  Water- 
bury,  "  and  sell  my  goods  chiefly  in  Pittsburg 
and  Cincinnati.  From  these  places  they  are  for 
warded  farther  east  and  west." 

"  I  suppose  that's  a  prett}7  good  business,; sir." 

"  Sometimes ;  but  there  are  intervals  of  depres 
sion.  However,  I  have  no  right  to  complain.  I 
began  a  poor  boy,  and  now  I  am  moderately  rich." 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS   THE   PLAINS.  91 

"Were  you  as  poor  as  I  am?"  inquired  Tom, 
beginning  to  feel  a  personal  interest  in  his  com 
panion's  career. 

"Quite  so,  I  fancy.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  I 
couldn't  call  myself  the  owner  of  five  dollars. 

4 '  And  you  have  become  rich  ? "  said  Tom,  feel 
ing  very  much  encouraged. 

"  Moderately  so.  I  am  probably  worth  fifty 
thousand  dollars,  and  am  just  fifty  years  of 
age." 

"That   seems   to  me   very  rich,"   said   Tom. 

"  I  should  have  said  the  same  thing  at  your 
age.  Our  views  change  as  we  get  older.  Still,  I 
regard  myself  as  very  well  off,  and,  with  prudent 
management,  I  need  not  fear  reverses." 

"  I  should  think   not,"   said   Tom. 

' '  You  don't  know  how  easy  it  is  to  lose  mone}7, 
my  boy.  I  am  not  referring  to  robbery,  but  to 
mismanagement." 

"Your  success  encourages  me,  Mr.  Waterbury," 
said  Tom.  "I  am  willing  to  work  hard." 

"  I  think  you  will  succeed.  You  look  like  a 
boy  of  good  habits.  Energy,  industry,  and  good 


92  THE  JOUNG  ADVENTURER;  ox, 

habits  can  accomplish  wonders.  But  I  think  we 
are,  on  the  point  of  starting." 

Just  before  the  gang  plank  was  drawn  in,  two 
persons  hastily  crossed  it. 

One  was  the  dark  young  man  who  had  passed 
them  on  the  way  down  to  the  boat ;  the  other 
was  Milton  Graham. 

"  Mr.  Waterbury,"  said  Tom,  hurriedly,  "do 
you  see  that  man?" 

"  Yes." 

"  He   is  the  man  that  tried  to  rob   me.' 

"We  must  be  on  our  guard,  then.  He  may 
be  up  to  more  mischief." 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  93 


CHAPTER  X. 

ON   THE    STEAMER. 

IN  half  an  hour  the  "River  Belle"  was  on  her 
way.  Tom  watched  the  city  as  it  receded  from 
view.  He  enjoyed  this  new  mode  of  travel  better 
than  riding  on  the  cars.  He  had  never  before 
been  on  any  boat  except  a  ferry-boat,  and  con 
gratulated  himself  on  his  decision  to  journey  by 
boat  part  of  the  way. 

Milton  Graham  had  passed  him  two  or  three 
times,  but  Tom,  though  seeing  him,  had  not  vol 
unteered  recognition.  Finding  that  he  must  make 
the  first  advances,  Graham  finally  stopped  short, 
looked  full  at  our  hero,  and  •  his  face  wore  a  very 
natural  expression  of  surprise  and  pleasure. 

"Why,  Tom,  is  that  you?"  he  said,  offering 
his  hand,  which  Tom  did  not  appear  to  see. 

"Yes,"   said   our  hero,   coldly. 

"  I   didn't  expect  to  see  you   here." 


94  THE  YOUNG  ADVENTURER;  on, 

"I  told  you  I  intended  to  sail  on  the  'River 
Belle."' 

"So  you  did;  but  I  thought  you  had  changed 
your  mind." 

It  made  very  little  difference  to  Tom  what  Mr. 
Graham  thought,  and  he  turned  from  him  to  watch 
the  scenery  past  which  the  boat  was  gliding. 

"I  suppose,"  continued  the  young  man,  "you 
were  surprised  to  find  me  gone,  when  you  came 
downstairs  to  breakfast." 

"Yes,    I   was." 

"He  resents  it  because  I  left  him,"  thought 
Graham.  "I  guess  I  can  bring  him  round." 

"The  fact  was,"  explained  Graham,  in  a  plausible 
manner,  "I  went  out  to  call  on  a  friend,  mean 
ing  to  come  back  to  breakfast ;  but  he  made  me 
breakfast  with  him,  and  when  I  did  return  you 
were  gone.  I  owe  you  an  apology,  Tom.  I  hope 
you  will  excuse  my  unintentional  neglect." 

"Oh,  certainly,"  said  Tom,  indifferently;  "it's 
of  no  consequence." 

Mr.  Graham  looked  at  him  sharply.  He  could  not 
tell  whether  our  hero  was  aware  of  his  dishonest 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  95 

intentions  or  not,  but  as  Toin  must  still  have 
money,  which  he  wanted  to  secure,  he  thought  it 
best  to  ignore  his  coldness. 

"No,"  said  he;  "it's  of  no  consequence  as  long 
as  we  have  come  together  again.  By  the  way, 
have  you  secured  a  state-room  ?  " 

"Yes." 

"If  the  other  berth  is  not  taken,  I  should  like 
very  much  to  go  in  with  you,"  said  Graham, 
insinuatingly. 

"I   have   a  room-mate,"   said   Tom,   coolty. 

"You  have?  Who  is  it?"  demanded  Graham, 
disappointed. 

"That  gentleman,"  answered  Tom,  pointing  out 
Mr.  Nicholas  Waterbury. 

"Humph!    do   you  know  him?" 

"I   met  him   at  the   Pittsburg  House." 

"My  young  friend,"  said  Graham,  with  the  air 
of  a  friendly  mentor,  "  I  want  to  give  you  a 
piece  of  advice." 

"Very  well." 

"Don't  be  too  ready  to  trust  strangers.  This 
Mr.  Waterbury  may  be  a  very  good  man,  but,  on 


96  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

the  other  hand,  he  may  be  a  confidence  man. 
Do  you  understand  me?" 

"I   think   so." 

"Now,   I   suppose  you  have   money?" 

"A   little." 

"Take  care  that  he  doesn't  get  possession  of 
it.  There  are  men  who  go  about  expressly  to 
fleece  inexperienced  strangers." 

u  I  suppose  you  know  all  about  that,"  Tom 
could  not  help  saying. 

"What  do  you  mean?"  demanded  Graham, 
suspiciously. 

"You  are  an  old  traveller,  and  musfc  know  all 
about  the  sharpers." 

"  Oh,  to  be  sure,"  said  Graham,  immediately 
dismissing  his  suspicions.  "You  couldn't  leave 
your  companion,  could  you,  and  come  into  my 
state-room  ?  " 

"  I   don't  think   I   could." 

"  Oh,  very  well.  It's  of  no  consequence.  Keep 
a  good  lookout  for  your  room-mate." 

Graham  turned  away,  and  resumed  his  walk. 
Soon  Tom  saw  him  in  company  with  the  dark 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  97 

young  man,    to   whom  reference   has    already  been 

made. 

"Well,"   said    the    latter,   "  how  did    you  make 

out  with   the   boy?'* 

"  He's  offish.     I  don't  know  as  he   suspects   me. 

I  wanted   to  get  him   into  my  state-room,    but   he 

has    already    taken    up    with    another  man, — that 

stout  party  over  there." 

"So   I    suspected.      I    can    tell    you    something 

about  that   man." 
"What?" 

"  He   carries   six   hundred   dollars   about  him." 
"You   don't   say   so!     How   did  you  find  out?" 
"  I   overheard   him   telling   the  boy   so." 
"That's   important   news.      The   boy   must  have 

a  couple   of  hundred,   or  thereabouts,  as   he  is  on 

his  way  to   California." 

1 '  Eight   hundred   dollars    together !     That   would 

make   a   good   haul." 

"So   it  would,  but  it  won't  be   easy  to  get  it." 
While    this    conversation    was     going    on     Tom 

informed     Mr.    Waterbury     of    what     had     passed 

between   Graham   and  himself. 


98  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    072, 

"So  he  warned  you  against  me,  did  he?" 
said  Mr.  Waterbury,  laughing. 

"Yes,  he  thought  I  would  be  safer  in  his 
company." 

"If  you  want  to  exchange,  I  will  retire,"  said 
Mr.  Waterbury,  smiling. 

"  Thank  you ;  I  would  rather  not.  I  am  glad 
I  met  you,  or  he  might  have  managed  to  get  in 
with  me." 

It  was  not  long  before  they  came  to  a  land 
ing.  It  was  a  small  river  village,  whose  neat 
white  houses,  with  here  and  there  one  of  greater 
pretensions,  presented  an  attractive  appearance. 
A  lady  and  her  daughter  came  on  board  here. 
The  lady  was  dressed  in  black,  and  appeared  to 
be  a  widow.  The  girl  was  perhaps  fourteen  years 
of  age,  with  a  bright,  attractive  face.  Two 
trunks  were  put  on  the  boat  with  them,  and,  as 
they  were  the  only  passengers  from  this  landing, 
Tom  inferred  that  they  were  their  property. 

"That  is  quite  a  pretty  girl,"  said  Mr.  Water- 
buiy. 

"  Yes,"   answered    Tom. 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  99 

""iou  ought  to  get  acquainted  with  her,"  said 
Mr.  "Waterbury,  jocosely. 

"  Perhaps,"  said  Tom,  shyly,  "you  will  get 
acquainted  with  them,  and  then  you  can  intro 
duce  me." 

"You  are  quite  sharp,"  said  Mr.  Waterbury, 
laughing.  "  However,  your  hint  is  a  good  one. 
I  may  act  upon  it." 

It  happened,  however,  that  Tom  required  no  in 
troduction.  As  the  lady  and  her  daughter  walked 
across  the  deck,  to  occupy  some  desirable  seats 
on  the  other  side,  the  former  dropped  a  kid 
glove,  which  Tom,  espying,  hastened  forward  and, 
picking  up,  politely  tendered  to  the  owner. 

"You  are  very  kind,"  said  the  lady,  in  a 
pleasant  voice.  "  I  am  much  obliged." 

"Mamma  is  quite  in  the  habit  of  dropping 
her  gloves,"  said  the  young  girl,  with  a  smiling 
glance  at  Tom.  "  I  really  think  she  does  it  on 
purpose.",  V^X^/V  4  J^HHIA,  «jUv  \<*&t  f^  "? 

"Then,  perhaps,  I  had  better  keep  near  by  to 
pick  them  up,"  said  Tom. 

"Really,   Jennie,"    said    her  mother,   "you    are 


100  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    O72, 

giving  the  young  gentleman  a  strange  impression 
of  me." 

"  Well,  mamma,  you  know  you  dropped  your 
gloves  in  the  street  the  last  time  you  were  in 
Pittsburg ;  but  there  was  no  gentleman  to  pick 
them  up,  so  I  had  to.  Are  you  going  to  Cin 
cinnati?"  she  asked,  turning  to  Tom. 

"  Yes,  and  farther ;  I  am  going  to  California," 
replied  Tom. 

"Dear  me,  you  will  be  quite  a  traveller.  I 
wish  I  were  going  to  California." 

"  You  wouldn't  like  to  go  there  on  the  same 
business  that  I  am." 

1  'What   is  that?" 

"I   am   going   to   dig  gold." 

"I  don't  know.  I  suppose  it  isn't  girls'  work; 
but  if  I  saw  any  gold  about,  I  should  like  to 
dig  for  it.  Is  that  your  father  that  was  stand 
ing  by  you  ?  " 

"No,"  answered  Tom.  "I  never  met  him  till 
yesterday.  We  were  staying  at  the  same  hotel 
in  Pittsburg." 

"He   seems  like  quite   a    nice   old    gentleman." 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  101 

Mr.  Waterbury  was  not  over  fifty,  but  to  the 
young  girl  he  seemed  an  old  gentleman.: 

"I  find   him   very  pleasant." 

There  was  a  seat  next  to  Jennie,  and  Tom 
ventured  to  occupy  it. 

"What  is  your  name?"  asked  the  young  lady, 
sociably. 

"  Thomas  Nelson,  but  most  people  call  me 
Tom." 

"My  name  is  Jane  Watson,  but  everybody 
calls  me  Jennie." 

"  That  is   much  prettier  than  Jane." 

"  So  I  think.  Jane  seems  old-maidish,  don't 
you  think  so  ? " 

u  Are  you  afraid  of  becoming  an  old  maid?" 
asked  Tom,  smiling. 

"  Awfully.  I  wouldn't  be  an  old  maid  for 
anything.  M}^  school-teacher  in  an  old  maid. 
She's  horridly  prim.  She  won't  let  us  laugh,  or 
talk,  or  anything." 

"-I  don't  think  you'll   grow   up   like  that." 

"I  hope  not." 

"How  you  run  on,   Jennie!"   said  her    mother. 


102  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"  What    will     this    ycuRg     gentleman     think    of 
you?"' 


f\Koti|ing  .Very  'bad,;  I  hope,"  said  Jennie,  smil 
ing  archly  on  Tom.  "I  suppose,"  she  continued, 
addressing  him,  "  I  ought  to  be  very  quiet  and 
reserved,  as  you  are  a  stranger." 

"I  hope  you  won't  be,"  said  Tom,   heartily. 

"  Then  I  won't.  Somehow  you  don't  seem  like 
a  stranger.  You  look  a  good  deal  like  a  cousin  of 
mine.  I  suppose  that  i&  the  reason." 

So  they  chatted  on  for  an  hour  or  more.  Jennie 
was  very  vivacious,  occasionally  droll,  and  Tom 
enjoyed  her  company.  The  mother  saw  that  our 
hero  was  well-behaved  and  gentlemanly,  and  made 
no  objection  to  the  sudden  intimacy. 


TOM'S    TRIP   ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  103 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THE   FIRST   DAY   ON  THE   RIVER. 

ABOUT  half-past  twelve  dinner  was  announced. 

"I  hope  you'll  sit  next  to  us,  Tom,"  said  Jennie 
Watson. 

"I   will,   if  I    can." 

It  happened  that  Milton  Graham  entered  the 
saloon  at  the  same  time  with  the  new  friends.  He 
took  the  seat  next  to  Jennie,  much  to  that  young 
lady's  annoyance. 

"  Will  you  be  kind  enough  to  take  the  next 
seat?"  she  asked.  "  That  .young  gentleman  is  to 
sit  next  to  me." 

"I  am  sorry  to  resign  the  pleasure,  but  anything 
to  oblige,"  said  Graham.  "Tom,  I  congratulate 
you,"  he  continued,  with  a  disagreeable  smile. 

"  Thank  you,"  said   our  hero,   briefly. 

"He  calls  you  Tom.  Does  he  know  you?" 
inquired  Jennie,  in  a  low  voice. 


104  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"  I  made  his  acquaintance  yesterday  for  the  first 
time." 

"I  don't  like  his  looks;  do  you?" 

"Wait  till  after  dinner  and  I  will  tell  you,"  said 
Toin,  fearing  that  Graham  would  hear. 

Milton  Graham  saw  that  Jennie  was  pretty, 
and  desired  to  make  her  acquaintance. 

"Tom,"  said  he, —  for  he  sat  on  the  other  side 
of  our  hero, —  "won't  you  introduce  me  to  your 
young  lady  friend?" 

Tom  was  not  well  versed  in  etiquette,  Jmt  his 
good  sense  told  him  that  he  ought  to  ask  Jennie's 
permission  first. 

"If  Miss  Watson  is  willing,"  he  said,  and  asked 
her  the  question. 

Jennie  was  not  aware  of  Graham's  real  character, 
and  gave  permission.  She  was  perhaps  a  little  too 
ready  to  make  new  acquaintances. 

' '  Do  you  enjoy  this  mode  of  travel,  Miss  Watson  ?  " 
said  Graham,  after  the  introduction. 

u  Oh,  yes ;  I  think  it  very  pleasant." 

"  I  suppose  you  wouldn't  like  the  ocean  as 
well.  I  went  to  Havana  last  winter, — on  business 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  105 

for  my  father, —  and  had  a  very  rough  passage. 
The  steamer  pitched  and  tossed,  making  us  all 
miserably  sea-sick." 

"I   shouldn't   like   that." 

"I  don't  think  you  would,  but  we  business 
men  must  not  regard  such  things." 

Tom  listened  to  him  with  incredulity.  Only  the 
day  before  he  would  have  put  full  confidence  in 
his  statement ;  but  he  had  learned  a  lesson,  thanks 
to  Graham  himself. 

"  How  far  are  you  going,  Miss  Watson?"  con 
tinued  Graham. 

"To  Cincinnati.  My  mother  and  I  are  going 
to  live  there." 

"It  is  a  very  pleasant  city.  I  have  often  been 
there — on  business." 

"What  is  your  business,  Mr.  Graham?"  Tom 
could  not  help  asking. 

"I  see  you  are  a  Yankee,"  said  Graham,  smiling. 
"  Yankees  are  very  inquisitive,  —  always  asking 
questions." 

"Are  you  a  Yankee,  Mr.  Graham?"  asked  Jennie. 
"  You  asked  me  where  I  was  going." 


106  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"A  fair  hit,"  said  Graham.  "No,  I  am  not 
a  Yankee.  I  am  a  native  of  New  York." 

"And  I  of  New  Jersey,"   said  Tom. 

"Oh,  you  are  a  foreigner  then,"  said  Graham. 
"  We  always  call  Jerseymen  foreigners." 

"It  is  a  stupid  joke,  I  think,"  said  Tom,  who 
was  loyal  to  his  native  State. 

"  You  didn't  answer  Tom's  question,"  said  Jennie, 
who  was  a  very  straightforward  young  lady. 

"  Oh,  my  father  is  a  commission  merchant," 
answered  Graham. 

"What  does   he   deal   in?" 

"  Articles  too  numerous  to  mention.  Tom,  will 
you  pass  me  the  potatoes?" 

Dinner  was  soon  over,  and  the  passengers  went 
upon  deck.  Graham  lit  a  cigar. 

"Have  a  cigar,  Tom?"  he  said. 

"No,  thank  you;  I  don't  smoke." 

"  You'll  soon  learn.     I'll  see  you  again  soon." 

"Tom,"  said  Jennie,  "tell  me  about  this  Mr. 
Graham.  What  do  you  know  about  him?" 

"  I  don't  like  to  tell  what  I  know,"  said  Tom, 
hesitating. 


I 

TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS    THE  PLAINS.  107 

"But  I  want  you  to.  You  introduced  me,  you 
know." 

"  What  I  know  is  not  to  his  advantage.  I  don't 
like  to  talk  against  a  man." 


"You   needn't   mind   telling   me." 


On  reflection  Tom  decided  that  he  ought  to 
tell  what  he  knew,  for  he  felt  that  Jennie  ought 
to  be  put  on  her  guard  against  a  man  whom  he 
did  not  consider  a  suitable  acquaintance  for  her. 

"  Very  well,"  said  he,  "  if  you  promise  not  to 
let  him  know  that  I  have  told  you." 

"  I    promise." 

"He  was  my  room-mate  last  night  at  the  Pitts- 
burg  House,"  said  Tom,  in  a  low  voice.  "  During 
the  night  he  tried  to  rob  me." 

"You  don't  say  so!"  ejaculated  Jennie,  in  round- 
eyed  wonder. 

"  I  will  tell   you    the   particulars." 

This  Tom  did.     Jennie  listened  with  indignation. 

"But  I  don't  understand,"  she  said.  "Why 
should  the  son  of  a  merchant  need  to  rob  a  boy 
like  you?  He  looks  as  if  he  had  plenty  of  money." 

"  So  I  thought ;   but  the  hotel-clerk  told  me  that 


108  THE  YOUNG  ADVENTURER;  o/e, 

sharpers   often   appeared   like   this  Mr.  Graham,  if 
that  is    his   name." 

"How  strange  it  seems!"  said  Jennie.  "I  wish 
you  hadn't  introduced  me." 

"I  didn't  want  to;  but  he  asked,  and  at  the 
table  I  couldn't  give  my  reasons  for  refusing." 

4 'My  dear  child,"  said  her  mother,  "you  are 
too  ready  to  form  new  acquaintances.  Let  this  be 
a  lesson  for  you." 

"  But  some  new  acquaintances  are  nice,"  pleaded 
Jennie.  "Isn't  Tom  a  new  acquaintance?" 

"  I  will  make  an  exception  in  his  favor,"  said 
Mrs.  Watson,  smiling  pleasantly. 

"Thank  you,"  said  Tom.  "How  do  you  know 
but  I  may  be  a  pick-pocket?"  he  continued,  ad 
dressing  Jennie. 

"  As  I  have  only  ten  cents  in  my  pocket  I  will 
trust  j^ou,"  said  the  young  lady,  merrily.  "  I'd 
trust  you  with  any  amount,  Tom,"  she  added, 
impulsively. 

"  Thank  you,  for  your  good  opinion,  Miss  Jennie." 

"  Don't  call  me  Miss  Jennie.  If  you  do,  I'll 
call  you  Mr.  Tom." 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  109 

u  I  shouldn't  know  myself  by  that  title.  Then 
I'll  call  you  Jennie." 

"I  wish  you  were  going  to  live  in  Cincinnati," 
said  the  young  lady.  "It  would  be  nice  to  have 
you  come  and  see  us." 

1 '  I  should  like  it ;  but  I  mustn't  think  so  much 
of  pleasure  as  business." 

"Like  Mr.   Graham." 

"  I  must  work  hard  at  the  mines.  I  suppose 
I  shall  look  pretty  rough  when  I  am  there." 

"When  you've  made  your  pile,  Tom, — that's 
what  they  call  it,  isn't  it?  —  you'll  come  back,  won't 
you?" 

"Yes." 

"You  must  stop  in  Cincinnati  on  your  way 
home." 

"I   wouldn't  know  where   to  find  you." 

"I  will  give  you  our  address  before  we  part. 
But  that  will  be  some  time  yet." 

About  this  time  Graham,  who  had  finished 
smoking  his  cigar,  strolled  back. 

"Miss  Watson,"  said  he,  "don't  you  feel  like 
having  a  promenade?" 


110  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;    O/J, 

"Yes,"  said  Jennie,  suddenly.  "Tom,  come  walk 
with  me." 

Our  hero  readily  accepted  the  invitation,  and 
the  two  walked  up  and  down  the  deck. 

"That's  what  I  call  a  snub,"  said  Graham's 
friend,  the  dark-complexioned  young  man,  who  was 
within  hearing. 

Graham's  face  was  dark  with    anger. 

"Curse  her  impudence,  and  his  too!"  he  mut 
tered.  "I  should  like  to  wring  the  boy's  neck." 

"He  can't  help  it,  if  the  girl  prefers  his  com 
pany,"  said  the  other,  rather  enjoying  Graham's 
mortification. 

"I'll   punish  him   all  the   same." 

By  this  time  Tom  and  Jennia  were  near  him 
again,  on  their  return. 

"  You  don't  treat  me  with  much  ceremony,  Miss 
Watson,"  said  Graham,  with  an  evil  smile. 

"  My  mother  doesn't  like  me  to  make  too  many 
acquaintances,"  said  Jennie,  demurely. 

"She  is  very  prudent,"  sneered  Graham.  "You 
have  known  your  present  companion  quite  a  long 
time." 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACEOSS    THE   PLAINS.  Ill 

i;I  hope  to  know  him  a  long  time,"  said  the 
3roung  lady,  promptly.  "  Let  us  continue  our  walk, 
Tom." 

In  discomfiture  which  he  was  unable  to  hide, 
Graham  walked  away. 

"Evidently,  Graham,  you  are  no  match  for 
those  two  youngsters,"  said  his  friend,  in  amuse 
ment,  which  Graham  did  not  share. 

Graham  did  not  reply,  but  seemed  moody  and 
preoccupied. 

Tom  and  his  companion  noticed  Graham's  dis 
pleasure,  but  they  felt  indifferent  to  it.  The}'  had 
no  desire  to  continue  his  acquaintance.  Our  hero 
introduced  Mr.  "Waterbury  to  his  new  friends,  and 
this  gentleman,  who  was  a  thorough  gentleman 
except  on  the  rare  occasion  when  he  yielded  to 
the  temptation  of  strong  drink,  made  a  favorable 
impression  upon  both. 

So  the  day  passed.  Tom  enjoyed  it  thoroughly. 
The  river  banks  afforded  a  continuous  panorama, 
while  the  frequent  stops  gave  him  an  opportunity 
of  observing  the  different  towns  in  detail.  Two 
or  three  times  he  went  ashore,  accompanied  by 


112  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

Jennie,  and  remained  till  the  steamer  was  ready 
to  start. 

Finally  night  came,  and  one  by  one  the  weary 
passengers  retired  to  rest. 

"Good-night,  Tom"  said  Jennie  Watson.  "Be 
up  early  in  the  morning." 

"  So  as  to  get  an  appetite  for  breakfast?"  asked 
Tom,  with  a  smile. 

"  I  think  we  shall  both  have  appetite  enough ; 
but  it  will  be  pleasant  to  breathe  the  fresh  morn 
ing  air." 

Tom  promised  to  get  up,  if  he  wakened  in  time. 

"If  you  don't  mind,  I  .will  occupy  the  lower 
berth,"  said  Mr.  Waterbury.  "I  can't  climb  as 
well  as  you." 

"  All  right,  sir.     It  makes  no  difference  to  me." 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS   THE   PLAINS.  113 


CHAPTER  XII. 

NO.  61  AND  NO.  62. 

THE  state-room  was  small,  as  most  state-rooms 
on  river-boats  are.  There  appeared  to  be  no  means 
of  ventilation.  Mr.  Waterbury  was  a  stout  man, 
and  inclined  to  be  short-breathed.  After  an  hour 
he  rose  and  opened  the  door,  so  as  to  leave  it 
slightly  ajar.  With  the  relief  thus  afforded  he 
was  able  to  go  to  sleep,  and  sleep  soundly.  Tom 
was  already  asleep,  and  knew  nothing  of  what  had 
happened. 

The  number  of  the  state-room  was  61.  Di 
rectly  opposite  was  62,  occupied  by  Milton  Gra 
ham  and  his  companion. 

If  Graham  did  not  go  to  sleep  it  was  because 
his  brain  was  busily  scheming  how  to  obtain  pos 
session  of  the  money  belonging  to  his  neighbors. 

"Won't  your  key   fit?"   asked   Vincent,  for  this 

was  the  name  of  the  dark-complexioned  young  man. 
8 


114  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"  No  use,  even  if  it  does.  Of  course  they  will 
lock  it  inside,  and  probably  leave  the  key  in  the 
lock." 

About  midnight,  Graham,  who  had  not  fully 
undressed,  having  merely  taken  off  his  coat,  got 
up,  and,  opening  the  door,  peered  out.  To  his 
surprise  and  joy  he  saw  that  the  door  of  No. 
61  was  ajar.  He  at  first  thought  of  rousing  Vin 
cent,  who  was  asleep ;  but  a  selfish  thought  sug 
gested  itself.  If  he  did  this,  he  must  share  with 
Vincent  anything  he  might  succeed  in  stealing ; 
if  not,  he  could  keep  it  all  himself. 

He  left  his  state-room  silently,  and  looked  cau 
tiously  around  him.  No  one  seemed  to  be  stirring 
in  the  cabin.  Next  he  stepped  across,  and, 
opening  wider  the  door  of  61,  looked  in.  The 
two  inmates  were,  to  all  appearances,  sleeping 
soundty. 

"  So   far,    so   good,"   he   said   to   himself. 

He  stepped  in,  moderating  even  his  breathing, 
and  took  up  a  pair  of  pants  which  lay  on  a  chair. 
They  belonged  to  Mr.  Waterbury,  for  Tom  had 
merely  taken  off  his  coat,  and  lain  down  as  he 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  115 

was.     His  belt  of  gold  he  therefore  found  it  unnec 
essary  to  take  off. 

Graham  saw  at  once,  from  the  size  of  the  pants, 
that  they  must  belong  to  the  elder  passenger. 
This  suited  him,  however,  as  he  knew  from  Vin 
cent's  information  that  Mr.  Waterbury  had  six 
hundred  dollars,  and  Tom  could  not  be  supposed 
to  have  anything  like  this  sum.  He  felt  eagerly 
in  the  pockets,  and  to  his  great  joy  his  hand 
came  in  contact  with  a  pocket-book.  He  drew 
it  out  without  ceremony.  It  was  a  comfortable-look 
ing  wallet,  fairly  bulging  with  bills. 

"  He's  got  all  his  money  inside,"  thought  Gra 
ham,  delighted.  "  What  a  fool  he  must  be 
to  leave  it  so  exposed,  —  with  his  door  open, 
too!" 

At  this  moment  Graham  heard  a  stir  in  the 
lower  berth.  There  was  no  time  to  wait.  He 
glided  out  of  the  room,  and  reentered  his  own 
state-room.  Immediately  after  his  departure  Mr. 
Waterbury,  who  had  awakened  in  time  to  catch 
sight  of  his  receding  figure,  rose  in  his  berth, 
and  drew  towards  him  the  garment  which  Graham 


116  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;   OJ2, 

had  rifled.     He  felt  in  the  pocket,  and  discovered 
that  the  wallet  had  been  taken. 

Instead   of   making    a   fuss,   he    smiled    quietly, 
and   said,    "  Just  as  I  expected." 

"  I  wonder  if   they  have  robbed  Tom,   too,"   he 
said  to  himself. 

He  rose,  closed  the   door,  and   then   shook  Tom 
with  sufficient  energy   to   awaken  him. 

"  Who's   there?]"   asked  Tom,  in   some   bewilder 
ment,   as  he   opened  his   eyes. 

"It's   I,— Mr.  Waterbury." 

"Is  it  morning?    Have  we  arrived?" 

"No,   it  is   about  midnight." 

"Is  there  anything  the   matter?" 

"  I  want  you  to  see  if  you  have  been  robbed." 

Tom   was  broad   awake   in   an  instant. 

"Robbed!"  he  exclaimed,  in  alarm.     He  felt  for 
his  belt  and   was  relieved. 

"No,"  he  answered.     "  What  makes  you  ask?" 

"  Because  I  have  had  a  wallet  taken.     It  makes 
me  laugh  when  I  think  of  it." 

"  Makes   you  laugh !  "   repeated   Tom,  under  the 
transient  impression  that  his  companion  was  insane. 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE    PLAINS.  117 

"  Why  should  you  laugh  at  the  loss  of  your 
money  ?  " 

"I  saw  the  thief  sneak  out  of  the  state-room," 
continued  Mr.  Waterbury ;  "  but  I  didn't  interfere 
with  him." 

"You  didn't!"  said  Tom,  completely  mystified. 
"I  would.  Did  you  see  who  it  was?" 

"Yes;  it  was  your  friend  and  late  room 
mate." 

"Mr.   Graham?" 

' '  As  he  calls  himself.  I  don't  suppose  he  has 
any  rightful  claim  to  the  name." 

41  Surely,  Mr.  Waterbury,  you  are  not  going 
to  let  him  keep  the  money,"  said  Tom,  ener 
getically;  "I'll  go  with  you,  and  make  him  give 
it  up.  Where  is  his  state-room?" 

"Just  opposite, — No.   62." 

"  We  had  better  go  at  once,"  said  Tom,  sit 
ting  up  in  his  berth. 

"  Oh,  no ;  he's  welcome  to  all  there  is  in  the 
pocket-book." 

"Wasn't  there   anything  in   it?" 

"It   was   stuffed   full." 


118  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

Tom  was  more  than  ever  convinced  that  his 
room-mate  was  crazy.  He  had  heard  that  mis 
fortune  sometimes  affected  a  man's  mind ;  and 
he  was  inclined  to  think  that  here  was  a  case 
in  point. 

"You'll  get  it  back,"  said  he,  soothingly. 
"  Graham  can't  get  off  the  boat.  We  will  re 
port  the  matter  to  the  captain." 

"  I  don't  care  whether  I  get  it  back  or  not," 
said  Mr.  Waterbury. 

Tom  looked  so  confused  and  bewildered  that 
his  companion  felt  called  upon  to  end  the  mysti 
fication. 

"I  know  what  is  in  your  mind,"  he  said, 
smiling.  "You  think  I  am  crazy." 

"I  don't  understand  how  you  can  take  your 
loss  so  coolly,  sir." 

"Then  I  will  explain.  That  wallet  was  a 
dummy." 

"A   what,    sir?" 

"A  sham — a  pretence.  My  pocket-book  and 
money  are  safe  under  my  pillow.  The  wallet 
taken  by  your  friend  was  filled  with  imitation 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  119 

greenbacks ;  in  reality,  business  circulars  of  a  firm 
in  Marietta." 

Tom   saw  it   all  now. 

u  It's  a  capital  joke,"  he  said,  laughing.  "I'd 
like  to  see  how  Graham  looks  when  he  discovers 
the  value  of  his  prize." 

"  He  will  look  green,  and  feel  greener,  I  sus 
pect,"  chuckled  Mr.  Waterbury.  "  You  are  cer 
tain  you  have  lost  nothing,  Tom?" 

"  Perfectly   certain,    sir." 

44  Then  we  won't  trouble  ourselves  about  what 
has  happened.  I  fancy,  however,  it  will  be  best 
to  keep  our  own  door  locked  for  the  remainder 
of  the  night,  even  at  the  risk  of  suffocation." 

44  That's  a  capital  trick  of  yours,  Mr.  Water- 
bury,"  said  Tom,  admiringly. 

44  It  has  more  than  once  saved  me  from  rob 
bery.  I  have  occasion  to  travel  considerably,  and 
so  am  more  or  less  exposed." 

44 1  wonder  if  Graham  will  discover  the  cheat 
before  morning." 

44 1  doubt  it.  The  state-rooms  are  dark,  and 
the  imitation  is  so  good  that  on  casual  inspec- 


120  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

tion  the  strips  of  paper  will  appear  to  be  genuine 
greenbacks." 

Mr.  Waterbury  retired  to  his  berth,  and  was 
soon  asleep  again.  Tom,  as  he  lay  awake,  from 
time  to  time  laughed  to  himself,  as  he  thought 
of  Graham's  coming  disappointment,  and  con 
gratulated  himself  that  he  and  that  young  man 
were  no  longer  room-mates. 

When  Graham  returned  to  his  state-room  Vin 
cent,  who  was  a  light  sleeper,  was  aroused  by  the 
slight  noise  he  made. 

"Are  you   up,   Graham?"   he   asked. 

"Yes;    I  got  up   a  minute." 

"  Have   you  been   out   of  the   state-room  ? " 

"Yes." 

"What   for?" 

"To  get   a  glass   of  water." 

There  was  a  vessel  of  water  in  the  cabin,  and 
this  seemed  plausible  enough. 

"Any   chance   of  doing   anything  to-night?" 

"No,   I   think   not." 

Vincent  sank  back  on  his  pillow,  and  Graham 
got  back  into  his  own  berth.  Quietly  he  drew 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  121 

the  wallet  from  his  pocket,  in  which  he  had 
placed  it,  and  eagerly  opened  it.  The  huge  roll 
of  bills  was  a  pleasant  and  welcome  sight. 

"  There's  all  of  six  hundred  dollars  here ! "  he 
said  to  himself.  "  I  mustn't  let  Vincent  know 
that  I  have  them." 

It  occurred  to  Graham  that,  of  course,  Mr. 
"Waterbury  would  proclaim  his  loss  in  the  morn 
ing,  and  it  also  occurred  to  him  that  he  might  be 
able  to  fasten  suspicion  upon  Tom,  who,  as  his 
room-mate,  would  naturally  have  the  best  chance 
to  commit  the  robbery.  One  thing  might  crimi 
nate  him, — the  discovery  of  the  wallet  upon  his 
person.  He  therefore  waited  till  Vincent  was 
once  more  asleep,  and,  getting  up  softly,  made  his 
way  to  the  deck.  He  drew  the  bills  from  the 
wallet,  put  them  in  an  inside  pocket,  and  threw 
the  wallet  into  the  river. 

"  Now  I'm  safe,"  he  muttered,  with  a  sigh  of 
relief.  uThe  money  may  be  found  on  me,  but 
no  one  can  prove  it  is  not  my  own." 

He  gained  his  berth  without  again  awakening 
his  companion. 


122  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"A  pretty  good  night's  work!"  he  said  to 
himself,  in  quiet  exultation.  "  Alone  I  have 
succeeded,  while  Vincent  lies  in  stupid  sleep. 
He  is  no  match  for  me,  much  as  he  thinks  of 
himself.  I  have  stolen  a  march  upon  him  this 
time." 

It  is  not  in  accordance  with  our  ideas  of  the 
fitness  of  things  that  a  man  who  has  committed 
a  midnight  robbery  should  be  able  to  sleep 
tranquilly  for  the  balance  of  the  night;  but  it  is 
at  any  rate  certain  that  Graham  slept  soundly 
till  his  room-mate  awakened  him  in  the  morning. 

"Rouse  up,  Graham,"  he  said.  "Breakfast  is 
nearly  read}7." 

"Is  it?"   asked   Graham. 

"Instead  of  sleeping  there,  you  ought  to  be 
thinking  how  we  can  make  a  forced  loan  from 
our  acquaintances  in  61." 

"To  be  sure,"  said  Graham,  smiling.  "I  am 
rather  stupid  about  such  things.  Have  you  any 
plan  to  suggest?" 

"  You  seem  very  indifferent  all  at  once,"  said 
Vincent. 


TOM'S    TRIP   ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  123 

u  Not  at  all.  If  you  think  of  anything  prac 
tical  I  am  your  man." 

He  longed  to  get  rid  of  Vincent,  in  order  to 
have  an  opportunity  of  counting  his  roll  of  bills. 


124  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER / 


CHAPTER    XIII. 
GRAHAM'S  DISAPPOINTMENT. 

MILTON  GRAHAM,  on  reaching  a  place  where  he 
could  do  so  unobserved,  drew  from  his  pocket 
the  roll  of  bills,  with  a  smile  of  exultation.  But 
the  smile  faded,  and  was  succeeded  by  a  look 
of  dismay,  when  he  recognized  the  worthlessness 
of  his  booty.  An  oath  rose  to  his  lips,  and  he 
thrust  the  roll  back  into  his  pocket,  as  he  no 
ticed  the  approach  of  a  passenger. 

"It's  a  cursed  imposition!"  he  muttered  to 
himself,  and  he  really  felt  that  he  had  been 
wronged  by  Mr.  Waterbury. 

"What  are  you  doing  out  here,  Graham?" 
asked  Vincent,  for  it  was  his  confederate  who 
approached. 

"Nothing  in  particular.  Why?"  responded  Gra 
ham. 

"What  makes  you   look   so   glum?" 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  125 

"Do  I  look  glum?" 

"You  look  as  if  you  had  but  one  friend  in 
the  world,  and  were  about  to  lose  him." 

"That  may  be  true  enough,"  muttered   Graham. 

"  Come,   man,   don't  look   so   downcast." 

"I'm   out  of  luck,    and   out  o^cashj   Vincent." 

"We're  both  in  the  same  boat/  as  far  as 
that  goes ;  but  that  isn't  going  to  %  last.  How 
about  our  stout  friend?  Can't  we  make  him  con 
tribute  to  our  necessities?" 

"  I   don't  believe   he's   got    any  -  money." 

"No?  Why,  I  heard  him  tell  the  boy  he  had 
six  hundred  dollars." 

"Where  does   he   keep   it?" 

"In   his   pocket-book   probably." 

1 '  Will  you  oblige  me  by  stating  how  we  are 
going  to  get  hold  of  it?" 

"I  look   to  you   for   that." 

"  He's  too  careful.  I  leave  you  to  try  your 
hand." 

"  Let  me  go  in  to  breakfast.  There's  nothing 
like  a  full  stomach  to  suggest  ideas." 

So    the    two    went    to    the    breakfast-table,    and 


126  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

Graham,  in  spite  of  his  disappointment,  managed 
to  eat  a  hearty  meal.  6^^fc*4i!  P-  W 

An  hour  later  Mr.  Waterbury  and  Tom  were 
standing  on  deck,  conversing  with  Jennie  Watson 
and  her  mother,  when  Graham  and  Vincent  ap 
proached  arm  in  arm.  As  soon  as  they  were 
within  hearing  distance  Mr.  Waterbury  purposely 
remarked,  "  By  the  way,  Mrs.  Watson,  I  met 
with  a  loss  last  night." 

"Indeed!"   returned   the   lady. 

Graham  was  about  to  push  on,  not  wishing 
Vincent  to  hear  the  disclosure,  as  it  might 
awaken  his  suspicions ;  but  the  latter's  curiosity 
was  aroused. 

"  Wait,  Graham,"  he  said ;  and  Graham,  against 
his  will,  was  compelled  to  slacken  his  pace. 

"A  man  entered  my  state-room  during  the 
night,  and  stole  a  wallet  from  my  coat-pocket." 

Graham  changed  color  a  little,  and  Vincent 
seemed  amazed. 

"Did  you  hear  that,   Graham?"   he   asked. 

"Yes." 

"What  does  it  mean?" 


TOlfS   TRIP  ACROSS    THE  PLAINS.  127 

"How  can  I  tell?" 

"I  hope  you  did  not  lose  much,"  said  Mrs. 
Watson,  in  a  tone  of  sympathy. 

"I  lost  the  wallet,"  said  Mr.  Waterbury, 
laughing. 

"Was   there   nothing  in   it?" 

"It   was   full  of  bills." 

Vincent  looked  at  Graham  with  new-born  sus 
picion,  but  Graham  looked  indifferent. 

"It  appears  to  me  that  }*ou  take  the  loss 
cheerfully,"  said  Mrs.  Watson,  puzzled. 

"  I  have  reason  to.  The  fact  is,  I  was  prepared 
for  the  visit,  and  had  filled  the  wallet  with  bo 
gus  bills.  I  fancy  they  won't  do  my  visitor 
much  good." 

The   lady   smiled. 

"You  were  fortunate,  Mr.  Waterbmy,"  said  she. 
"  Do  }*ou  suspect  any  one  of  the  theft?" 

"  I  know  pretty  well  who  robbed  me,"  re 
turned  Mr.  Waterbur}T,  and  he  suffered  his 
glance  to  rest  on  Graham,  who  seemed  in  a 
hurry  to  get  away. 

"Come   along,   Vincent,"   he   said   sharply. 


128  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OA', 

Vincent  obeyed.  Light  dawned  upon  him,  and 
he  determined  to  verify  his  suspicions. 

"  Graham,"  said  he,  in  a  low  voice,  "  you 
did  this." 

"  Did  what?" 

"You  got  that  wallet." 

Graham  concluded  that  he  might  as  well  make  a 
clean  breast  of  it,  since  it  had  become  a  matter  of 
necessity. 

"Well,"  said  he,  "suppose  I  did?" 

"You  were  not  going  to  let  me  know  of  it," 
said  Vincent,  suspiciously. 

"  That  is  true.  I  was  ashamed  of  having  been 
imposed  upon." 

"  When  did  you  find  out  that  the  money  was 
bogus ?» 

"  Immediately." 

"If  it  had  been  good,  would  you  have  shared 
with  me  honorably?" 

"Of  course.     What  do  you  take  me  for?" 

Vincent  was  silent.  He  did  not  believe  his  com 
panion.  He  suspected  that  the  latter  had  intended 
to  steal  a  march  on  him. 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  129 

"  You  might  have  told  me  of  it,"  he  continued,  in 
a  tone  of  dissatisfaction. 

"  There  was  no  need  to  say  anything,  as  there 
was  nothing  to  divide." 

"Have  you  got  the  wallet  with  you  now?" 

"  No  ;  I  threw  it  overboard." 

"And  the  bills?" 

"  You  may  have  them  all,  if  you  like." 

"  Come  into  the  state-room,  where  we  can  be 
unobserved,  and  show  them  to  me." 

Graham   complied  with   his   suggestion. 

"It  would  have  been  a  good*  haul  if  they  had 
been  genuine,"  said  Vincent,  as  he  unfolded  the 
roll. 

"  Yes,   but  they  are  not ;   worse  luck !  " 

"I  didn't  give  the  old  fellow  credit  for  being 
so  sharp." 

"Nor  I.  There's  more  in  him  than  I  supposed 
there  was." 

"Well,  what  is  to  be  done?" 

"Nothing.  The  old  man  is  on  his  guard,  and, 
besides,  he  suspects  me.  He  was  probably  awake 
when  I  entered  the  state-room.  He  and  the  boy 


130  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    O72, 

have  probably  laughed  over  it  together.  I  hate 
that  boy." 

"Why?" 

"  Because  he  is  a  green  country-bo}r,  and  yet  he 
has  succeeded  in  thwarting  me.  I  am  ashamed 
whenever  I  think  of  it." 

"  Would  you  like  to  play  a  trick  on  him  in  turn?  " 

"Yes." 

"Then  give   me  this  roll  of  bills." 

"What   do  you  want  to  do  with  them?" 

"Put  them   in   his   pocket." 

"Can  you   do  it   unobserved?" 

"Yes.  The  fact  is,  Graham,  I  served  an 
apprenticeship  as  a  pick-pocket,  and  flatter  nwself 
I  still  have  some  dexterity  in  that  line." 

"Very  well,  it  will  be  some  satisfaction,  and  if 
the  old  man  didn't  see  me  enter  the  state-room, 
he  may  be  brought  to  believe  that  the  boy 
robbed  him.  If  that  could  be,  I  should  feel  partly 
compensated  for  my  disappointment.  I  should  like 
to  get  that  boy  into  trouble." 

"Consider  it  done,  so  far  as  I  am  concerned. 
Now  let  us  separate,  so  as  to  avoid  suspicion." 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  131 

Viucent  began  to  .pace  the  deck  in  a  leisurely 
manner,  in  each  case  passing  near  Tom,  who  was 
still  engaged  in  conversation  with  Jennie  Watson 
and  her  mother.  For  a  time  he  was  unable  to 
effect  his  purpose,  as  our  hero  was  sitting  down. 
But  after  a  while  Tom  rose,  and  stood  with  his 
back  to  Vincent.  He  wore  a  sack  coat,  with 
side  pockets.  This  was  favorable  to  Vincent, 
who,  as  he  passed,  adroitly  slipped  the  bills  into 
one  of  them,  without  attracting  the  attention  of 
our  hero. 

Presently  Tom  thrust  his  hand  into  his  pocket 
mechanically.  They  encountered  the  bills.  In 
surprise  he  drew  them  out,  and  looked  at  them 
in  amazement. 

"  What's  that,  Tom?"  asked  Jennie,  with  great 
curiosity. 

"It  looks  like  money,"  answered  Tom,  not 
yet  understanding  what  had  happened. 

"  You   seem   to   be   rich." 

"By  gracious!  —  it's  Mr.  Waterbury's  money," 
exclaimed  Tom.  Then  he  colored,  as  it  flashed 
upon  him  that  its  presence  in  his  pocket  might 


132  THE    YOUNG    ADVENTURER;    OR, 

arouse  suspicion.  "  I  don't  see  how  it  got  there," 
he  continued,  in  a  bewildered  way. 

Just  then  Mr.  Waterbury  came  up,  and  was  made 
acquainted  with  the  discovery. 

"  I  don't  know  what  you'll  think,  Mr.  Water- 
bury,"  said  Tom,  coloring;  "I  haven't  the  slightest 
idea  how  the  money  came  in  my  pocket." 

"  I  have,"  said  Mr.  Waterbury,  quietly. 

Tom  looked  at  him,  to  discover  whether  he  was 
under  suspicion. 

"  The  companion  of  your  friend  Graham  slipped 
it  into  your  pocket.  He  was  very  quick  and  adroit, 
but  I  detected  him.  He  wanted  to  throw  suspicion 
upon  you." 

"It  is  lucky  you  saw  him,  sir." 

"Why?" 

"You  might  have  suspected  me." 

"  My  dear  boy,  don't  trouble  yourself  about  that. 
No  circumstantial  evidence  will  shake  my  confidence 
in  your  integrity." 

"Thank  you,  sir,"  said  Tom,  gratefully. 

"What  a  wicked  man  to  play  such  a  trick  on 
you,  Tom ! "  exclaimed  Jennie,  indignantly. 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  133 

u  I  see  there  is  somebody  else  who  has  confi 
dence  in  you,  Tom,"  said  Mr.  Waterbury,  smiling; 
"I'd  like  to  give  him  a  piece  of  my  mind." 

"I  am  ready  to  forgive  him,"  said  Mr.  Water- 
bury,  "as  he  has  restored  the  money.  It  will 
do  as  a  bait  for  the  next  thief." 


134  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OJJ, 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

COMING   TO   AN   UNDERSTANDING. 

u  I  BELIEVE,  Tom,"  said  Mr.  Waterbur}7,  "  that 
I  will  come  to  an  understanding  with  these  officious 
acquaintances  of  yours.  I  will  intimate  to  them 
that  their  persecution  must  cease." 

"Will   they   mind   what  you   say,   sir?" 

"I  think  they  will,"  answered  his  friend,  quietly. 

Graham  and  Vincent  were  standing  together, 
and  apart  from  the  rest  of  the  passengers,  when 
Mr.  Waterbury  approached  them. 

u  A  word  with  you,  gentlemen,"  said  he,  gravely. 

"I  don't  know  you,    sir,"   blustered  Vincent. 

"Perhaps  not.  Permit  me  to  remark  that  I 
have  no  special  desire  for  your  acquaintance." 

V 

4-cThen  why  do  you  take  the  liberty  of  address 
ing  me?" 

"I  rather  admire  the  fellow's  impudenqe,"  said 
Mr.  Waterbury  to  himself. 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  135 

"Are  you  associated  with  this  gentleman?"  he 
asked,  indicating  Graham. 

"We   are   friends." 

"Then  I  will  address  an  inquiry  to  him.  I 
am  not  in  the  habit  of  receiving  calls  in  my 
state-room  during  the  hours  of  sleep." 

"  I  don't  understand  you,  sir,"  said  Milton 
Graham,  with  hauteur. 

"  Oh,  yes,  you  do,  unless  your  memory  is  singu 
larly  defective.  Our  state-rooms  are  close  together. 
You  entered  mine  last  night." 

"You   must  have  been   dreaming." 

"  If  so,  I  was  dreaming  with  my  eyes  open. 
Perhaps  it  was  in  my  dreams  that  I  saw  3'ou 
extract  a  wallet  from  my  coat-pocket." 

"Do  you  mean  to  insult  me,  sir?"  demanded 
Graham. 

"  Really,  sir,  your  remarks  are  rather  extraor 
dinary,"  chimed  in  Vincent. 

"Do  you  mean  to  say  that  I  robbed  you?" 
demanded  Graham,  confident  in  the  knowledge 
that  the  booty  was  not  on  his  person. 

"  I  find  a  wallet  missing.     That  speaks  for  itself." 


136  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    Off, 

"  Let  me  suggest  that  your  room-mate  probably 
took  it,"  said  Vincent. 

"Extremely  probable,"  said  Graham.  "  He 
roomed  with  me  in  Pittsburg,  and  I  caught  him 
at  my  pockets  during  the  night." 

"  Did  you  ever  hear  the  fable  of  the  wolf  and 
the  lamb,  Mr.  Graham?"  asked  Mr.  Waterbury. 

"Can't   say   I  have." 

"  It's  of  no  consequence.  I  am  reminded  of 
it,  however." 

"  Come  to  think  of  it,"  said  Vincent,  "  I  saw 
the  boy  with  a  roll  of  bills.  You  had  better 
search  him.  If  he  is  innocent,  he  can't  object." 

"  I  see  your  drift,"  returned  Mr.  Waterbury, 
after  a  pause.  ".  I  saw  you  thrust  the  bills  into 
his  pocket,  as  he  stood  with  his  back  turned, 
conversing  with  one  of  the  passengers.  It  was 
very  skilfully  done,  but  I  saw  it." 

Vincent  started,  for  he  had  supposed  himself 
unobserved. 

"  I  see  you  are  determined  to  insult  us,"  he 
said.  "I  will  charitably  conclude  that  you  are 
drunk." 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  137 

"  I  can't  be  so  charitable  with  you,  sir.  I 
believe  you  are  a  pair  of  precious  scoundrels, 
who,  if  you  had  your  deserts,  would  be  in  the 
penitential  instead  of  at  large." 

"I  have  a  mind  to  knock  you  down,"  said 
Vincent,  angrily. 

As  Vincent  was  several  inches  shorter  and  much 
slighter  than  the  person  whom  he  threatened,  this 
menace  sounded  rather  ridiculous. 

"  You  are  at  liberty  to  try  it,"  said  the  latter, 
smiling.  "  First,  however,  let  me  warn  3*011  that, 
if  you  continue  to  annoy  us,  it  will  be  at  your 
peril.  If  you  remain  quiet  I  shall  leave  you  alone. 
Otherwise  I  will  make  known  your  true  character 
to  the  captain  and  passengers,  and  you  will 
undoubtedly  be  set  ashore  when  we  reach  the 
next  landing.  I  have  the  honor  to  wish  you  good- 
morning." 

"It  strikes  me,  Graham,"  said  Vincent,  as  Mr. 
Waterbury  left  them,  "that  we  have  tackled  the 
wrong  passenger." 

"I  believe  you  are  right,"  said  Graham.  "Just 
my  luck." 


138  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    O7J, 

"  There  isn't  much  use  in  staying  on  the  boat. 
He  will  keep  a  good  lookout  for  us." 

"True;  but  I   don't  want  to  give  up   the  boy." 

"He  is  under  the  guardianship  of  this  deter 
mined  old  party." 

"They  will   separate   at   Cincinnati." 

"Well?" 

"He  has  money  enough  to  take  him  to  Cali 
fornia.  He  is  worth  following  up." 

"  Then  you  are  in  favor  of  going  on  to  Cin 
cinnati  ?  " 

"By   all  means." 

"  Very  well.  There  are  always  chances  of  mak 
ing  an  honest  penny  in  a  large  city." 

' '  Money  or  no  money,  I  want  to  get  even  with 
the  boy." 

So  the  worthy  pair  decided  to  go  on  to 
Cincinnati. 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  139 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE    ALLEGHANY     HOUSE. 

IT  was  a  bright,  sunny  morning  when  the 
"  River  Belle"  touched  her  pier  at  Cincinnati. 
The  passengers  gathered  on  deck,  and  discussed 
their  plans.  In  one  group  were  Tom,  Mr.  Water- 
bury,  Jennie  Watson,  and  her  mother. 

"I  am  sorry  you  are  going  to  leave  us,  Tom," 
said  Jennie ;  "  I  shall  feel  awfully  lonely." 

"  So  shall   I,"    said   Tom. 

"What's  the  use  of  going  to  that  hateful 
California  ?  Why  can't  you  stay  here  with  us  ? " 

"  Business  before  pleasure,  Jennie,"  said  her 
mother.  u  You  mustn't  forget  that  Tom  has  his 
fortune  to  make." 

"  I  wish  he  could  make  it  in  Cincinnati, 
mother." 

"  So  do  I;  but  I  must  admit  that  California 
presents  a  better  prospect  just  at  present.  You 


140  TSE  YOUNG  ADVENTURER;  OR, 

are  both  young,  and  I  hope  we  may  meet  Tom 
in  after  years." 

"When  I  have  made  my  pile,"  suggested 
Tom. 

"Precisely." 

"You  won't  go  right  on,  Tom,  will  you?" 
asked  Jennie.  "  You'll  stay  here  a  day  or  two." 

"Yes;  I  should  like  to  see  something  of  Cin 
cinnati." 

"And  you'll  call  on  us?" 

"I  shall  be  very  happy  to  do  so.  Where  are 
you  going  to  stay?" 

"  At  the  Burnet  House.  Won't  you  come 
there  too?" 

"Is  it   a  high-priced   hotel?" 

"I  believe  it  is." 

"  Then  I  cannot  afford  to  stay  there ;  but  I 
can  call  on  you  all  the  same." 

"  Stay  there  as  my  guest.  Tom,"  said  Mr.  Water- 
bury,  cordially.  "  It  shall  not  cost  you  any 
thing." 

"  Thank  you,  sir.  You  are  very  kind ;  but  I 
don't  like  to  accept  unnecessary  favors.  I  will 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  141 

put  up  at  some  cheap  hotel,  and  call  upon  you 
both." 

"You  would  be  heartily  welcome,  my  boy," 
said  Mr.  Waterbury. 

"I  don't  doubt  it,  sir,  and  the  time  may  come 
when  I  will  gladly  accept  your  kindness,"  replied 
Tom. 

"  But  now  you  mean  to  have  your  own  way ; 
is  that  it,  Tom?" 

"  You  won't  be  offended,  sir?" 

"  On  the  contrary,  I  respect  you  for  your  manly 
independence.  You  won't  forget  that  I  am 
your  friend  ? " 

"I  don't   want   to   forget   that,    sir." 

So  it  happened  that  while  Mrs.  Watson,  Jen 
nie,  and  Mr.  Waterbury  registered  at  the  Bur- 
net  House,  Tom,  carpet-bag  in  hand,  walked 
through  the  streets  till  he  came  to  a  plain  inn, 
bearing  the  name  Alleghany  House.  It  is  not 
now  in  existence,  having  given  way  to  an  im 
posing  business  block. 

"  That  looks  as  if  it  might  suit  my  purse," 
thought  Tom. 


142  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;    Ofi, 

He  walked  in,  and,  approaching  the  desk,  in 
quired,  "How  much  do  you  charge  at  this 
hotel?" 

"  A  dollar  a  da}V  answered  the  clerk.  "  Will 
you  have  a  room?" 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"Please   register  your  name."     Tom   did  so. 

"Cato,"  called  the  clerk,  —  summoning  a  colored 
boy,  about  Tom's  size,  — "  take  this  young  man 
to  No.  18." 

"All  right,  sar,"  said  Cato,  showing  his  ivo 
ries. 

"When  do  }TOU  have  dinner?"   asked   Tom. 

"One    o'clock." 

Preceded  by  Cato,  Tom  walked  upstairs,  and 
was  ushered  into  a  small,  dingy  room  on  the 
second  floor.  There  was  a  single  window,  look 
ing  through  dingy  panes  upon  a  backyard. 
There  was  a  general  air  of  cheerlessness  and  dis 
comfort,  but  at  any  rate  it  was  larger  than  the 
state-room  on  the  "  River  Belle. " 

"Is  this  the  best  room  you  have?"  asked 
Tom,  not  very  favorably  impressed. 


TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  143 

"  Oh,  no,  sar,"  answered  Cato.  "  If  your  wife 
was  with  you,  sar,  we'd  give  you  a  scrumptious 
room,  'bout  twice  as  big." 

"I  didn't  bring  my  wife  along,  Cato,"  said 
Tom,  amused.  "Are  you  married?" 

"Not  yet,  sar,"  answered  his  colored  guide, 
with  a  grin. 

"  I  think  we  can  wait  till  we  are  a  little 
older." 

"  Reckon   so,    sar." 

"Just  bring  up  a  little  water,  Cato.  I  feel 
in  need  of  washing." 

"Dirt  don't  show  on  me,"  said  Cato,  with  a 
guffaw. 

"  I  suppose  you  do  wash,  now  and  then,  don't 
you?" 

"Yes,  sar,  sometimes,"  answered  Cato,  equivo 
cally. 

When  Tom  had  completed  his  toilet  he  found 
that  it  was  but  ten  o'clock.  He  accordingly 
went  downstairs,  intending  to  see  a  little  of 
the  city  before  dinner. 


144  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER',    OR, 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE    EVENTS    OF    A    MORNING. 

GRAHAM  and  Vincent  had  kept  quiet  during 
the  latter  part  of  the  voyage.  They  had  a 
wholesome  fear  of  Mr.  Waterbury,  and  kept 
aloof  from  him  and  Tom.  They  even  exchanged 
their  state-room  for  one  at  a  different  part  of 
the  boat.  All  was  satisfactory  to  Tom  and  his 
companion. 

When  the  worthy  pair  reached  Cincinnati  they 
were  hard  up.  Their  united  funds  amounted  to 
but  seven  dollars,  and  it  seemed  quite  necessary 
that  they  should  find  the  means  of  replenishing 
then*  purses  somewhere.  They  managed  to  ascertain 
that  Tom  and  his  friend  were  going  to  separate,  and 
this  afforded  them  satisfaction,  since  it  made  their 
designs  upon  our  hero  more  feasible.  At  a  distance 
they  followed  Tom  to  the  Alleghany  House,  and 
themselves  took  lodgings  at  a  small,  cheap  tavern 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS    THE  PLAINS.  145 

near  by.     Like  Torn,  they  set  out  soon  after  their 
arrival  in  quest  of  adventure. 

"We  must  strike  a  vein  soon,  Graham,"  said 
Vincent,  "  or  we  shall  be  in  a  tight  place." 

"  That's  so,"  answered  Graham. 

"Thus  far  our  trip  hasn't  paid  very  well.  It's 
been  all  outgo  and  no  income." 

"You're  right,  partner;  but  don't  give  up  the 
ship,"  responded  Graham,  whose  spirits  Jfeturned, 
now  that  he  was  on  dry  land.  "  I've  been  in  the 
same  straits  about  once  a  month  for  the  last  five 
years." 

"I've  known  you  for  three  years,  Graham,  and, 
so  far  as  my  knowledge  extends,  I  can  attest  the 
truth  of  what  you  say.  By  the  way,  you  never 
say  anything  of  your  life  before  that  date." 

A   shadow  passed   over   Graham's   face. 

' '  Because  I  don't  care  to  think  of  it ;  I  never 
talk  of  it,"  he  said. 

"Pshaw,   man,   we   all    of    us    have    some    ugly 
secrets.     Suppose  we   confide  in  each  other.     Tell 
me  your  story,  and  I  will  tell  you  mine.     It  won't 
change  my  opinion  of  you." 
10 


146  THE    YOUNG    ADVENTURER;    O/Z, 

"Probably  not,"  said  Graham.  "Well,  there  is 
no  use  in  holding  back.  For  this  once  I  will  go 
back  to  the  past.  Five  years  ago  I  was  a  favorite 
in  society.  One  day  an  acquaintance  introduced 
me  into  a  gambling-house,  and  I  tried  my  hand 
successfully.  I  went  out  with  fifty  dollars  more 
than  I  brought  in.  It  was  an  unlucky  success,  for 
it  made  me  a  frequent  visitor.  All  my  surplus 
cash  fojmd  a  market  there,  and  when  that  was 
exhausted  I  borrowed  from  my  employer." 

"Without   his   knowledge?"      <IH*V\W**- 

"  Of  course.  For  six  months  I  evaded  discovery. 
Then  I  was  detected.  My  friends  interceded,  and 
saved  me  from  the  penitentiary ;  but  I  lost  my 
situation,  and  was  required  to  leave  the  city.  I 
went  to  New  York,  tried  to  obtain  a  situation 
there,  failed,  and  then  adopted  my  present  pro 
fession.  I  need  not  tell  you  the  rest." 

"My  dear  friend,  I  think  I  know  the  rest  pretty 
well.  But  don't  look  sober.  A  fig  for  the  past. 
What's  the  odds,  as  long  as  you're  happy?" 

"Are   you   happy?"   inquired   Graham. 

"As    Ions:    as    I'm    flush,"     answered    Vincent, 


TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  147 

shrugging  his  shoulders.  "I'm  nearly  dead-broke 
now,  and  of  course  I  am  miserable.  However,  my 
story  comes  next  in  order.  I  was  a  bank  teller, 
appropriated  part  of  the  funds  of  the  bank,  fled 
with  it,  spent  it,  and  then  became  an  ornament  to 
our  common  profession." 

44  Where  was  the  bank?" 

"  In  Canada.  I  haven't  been  there  since.  The 
climate  don't  suit  me.  It's  bleak,  but  I  fear  it 
might  prove  too  hot  for  me.  Now  we  know  each 
other." 

u  You  don't  allow  it  to  worry  you,  Vincent," 
said  Graham. 

"No,  I  don't.  Why  should  I?  I  let  the  dead 
past  bury  its  dead,  as  Longfellow  says,  and  act 
in  the  living  present.  That  reminds  me,  we  ought 
to  be  at  work.  I  have  a  proposal  to  make.  We 
won't  hunt  in  couples,  but  separate,  and  each  will 
try  to  bring  home  something  to  help  the  common 
fund.  Is  it  agreed  ?  " 

"Yes." 

"  Au   revoir,  then!" 

"  That  fellow  has   no  conscience,"  thought  Gra- 


148  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR. 

ham.  "  Mine  is  callous,  but  he  goes  beyond  me. 
Perhaps  he  is  the  better  off." 

Graham  shook  off  his  transient  dull  spirits,  and 
walked  on,  keeping  a  sharp  lookout  for  a  chance 
to  fleece  somebody.  In  front  of  a  railroad  ticket- 
office  he  espied  a  stolid-looking  German,  who  was 
trying  to  read  the  placard  in  the  window. 

Graham  approached  him,  and  said  politely,  "  My 
friend,  perhaps  I  can  help  you.  Are  you  thinking 
of  buying  a  railroad  ticket?" 

The  German  turned,  and  his  confidence  was 
inspired  by  the  friendly-  interest  of  Graham's  man 
ner. 

41 1  go  to  Minnesota,"  he  said,  "  where  my  brother 
live." 

"  Exactly,  and  you  want  a  ticket  to  go  there?" 

"  Yes,  I  want  a  ticket.     Do  they  sell  him  here?  " 

"No,"  said  Graham.  "That  is,  they  do  sell 
tickets  here ;  but  they  ask  too  much." 

"I  will  not  pay  too  much,"  said  the  German, 
shaking  his  head  decisively. 

"Of  course  not;  I  will  take  you  to  a  cheaper 
place." 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  149 

"  That  is  good,"  said  the  German,  well  pleased. 
"It  is  luck  I  meet  mit  a  friend  like 

"Yes,"  said  Graham,  linking  his  arm  in  that 
of  his  new  acquaintance.  "  I  don't  like  to  see  a 
worthy  man  cheated.  Come  with  me.  How  much 
money  have  you  ?  " 

This  inquiry  ought  to  have  excited  the  suspicions 
of  the  German ;  but  he  was  trustful,  and  answered 
promptly,  "  Two  hundred  dollar." 

Graham's   eyes   sparkled. 

"If  I  could  only  get  the  whole  of  it,"  he 
thought.  But  that  didn't  seem  easy. 

They  walked  through  street  after  street  till 
Graham  stopped  in  front  of  an  office. 

"  Now,"  said  he,  "  give  me  your  money,  and  I 
will  buy  the  ticket." 

"How  much  money?"  asked  his  new  acquaint 
ance. 

"  I  don't  know  exactly,"  said  Graham,  carelessly: 
"  Just  hand  me  your  pocket-book,  and  I  will 
pay  what  is  needed." 

But  here  the  German's  characteristic  caution 
came  in. 


150  THE  YOUNG  ADVENTURER;  OR, 

"  I  will  go  with  you,"   he   said. 

"  If  you  do,  I  can't  get  the  tickets  so  cheap. 
The  agent  is  a  friend  of  mine,  and  if  he  thinks 
it  is  for  me  he  will  give  it  to  me  for  less. 
Don't  give  me  all  your  money.  Fifty  dollars  will 
do.  I  will  buy  the  ticket,  and  bring  you  the 
rest  of  the  money." 

This  seemed  plausible  enough,  and  Graham  would 
have  got  what  he  asked  for,  but  for  the  inter 
ference  of  Tom,  who  had  come  up  just  in  time 
to  hear  Graham's  proposal.  He  had  no  difficulty 
in  comprehending  his  purpose. 

"Don't  give  him  the  money,"  he  said.  "He 
will  cheat  you." 

Both  ..Graham  and  his  intended  victim  wheeled 
round,  and  looked  at  our  hero. 

"Clear  out  of  here,  you  young  vagabond!" 
said  Graham,  angrily. 

"This  man  wants  to  cheat  you,"  persisted  Tom. 
"  Don't  give  him  your  money." 

The  bewildered  foreigner  looked  from  one  to 
the  other. 

''Tin's   is   no  ticket-office,"    said   Tom.     "I   will 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  151 

lead  you  to  one,  and  you  shall  buy  a  ticket  for 
yourself." 

"  He  wants  to  swindle  you,"  said  Graham, 
quickly. 

"  You  shall  keep  your  money  in  your  own 
hands,"  said  Tom.  "I  don't  want  it." 

"I  go  with  you,  my  young  friend,"  said  the 
German,  convinced  by  Tom's  honest  face.  "  The 
other  man  may  be  all  right,  but  I  go  with  you." 

Graham  protested  in  vain.  His  victim  went  off 
with  Tom,  who  saw  that  he  was  provided  with 
the  ticket  he  wanted.  His  new  friend  tried  to 
force  a  dollar  upon  him ;  but  this  Tom  steadily 
refused. 

"  I'll  get  even  with  you  yet ! "  said  Graham, 
furiously ;  but  our  hero  was  not  disturbed  by  this 
menace. 

Vincent,  meantime,  was  making  a  tour  of  obser 
vation,  ready  for  any  adventure  that  might  put 
an  honest  or  dishonest  penny  into  his  pocket. 
About  half  an  hour  later  he  found  himself  on 
the  leading  retail  street  in  Cincinnati.  In  front 
of  him  walked  a  lady,  fashionably  attired,  holding 


152  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    O/Z, 

a  mother-of-pearl  porte-raonnaie  carelessly  in  her 
hand.  He  brushed  by  her,  and  at  the  same 
moment  the  pocket-book  was  snatched  from  her 
hand. 

The  lady  screamed,  and  instinctively  clutched 
Vincent  by  the  arm. 

"  This  man  has  robbed  me,  I  think,"  she  said. 
The  crowd  began  to  gather  about  Vincent,  and 
he  saw  that  he  was  cornered.  Among  the  crowd, 
unluckily  for  himself,  was  Tom.  By  a  skilful 
movement  Vincent  thrust  the  porte-monnaie  into 
our  hero's  pocket. 

"You  are  mistaken,  madam,"  he  said,  coolly; 
"I  saw  that  boy  take  your  money." 

Instantly  two   men   seized   Torn. 

"Search  him,"  said  Vincent,  "and  see  if  I  am 
not  right." 

•  The  porte-monnaie  was  taken  from  Tom's  pocket, 
amid  the  hootings  of  the  crowd. 

"So  young,  and  yet  so  wicked!"  said  the  lady, 
regretfully. 

"I  didn't  take  the  money,  madam,"  protested 
Tom,  his  face  scarlet  with  surprise  and  mortification. 


TOM'S    TRIP   ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  153 

"  Don't  believe  him,  ma'am.  I  saw  him  take 
it,"  said  Vincent,  virtuously. 

Poor  Tom  looked  from  one  to  another ;  but  all 
faces  were  unfriendly.  It  was  a  critical  time  for 
him. 


154  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;   OJ2, 


CHAPTER    XVII. 


To  one  who  is  scrupulously  honest  a  sudden 
charge  of  dishonesty  is  almost  overwhelming.  Now, 
Tom  was  honest,  not  so  much  because  he  had 
been  taught  that  honesty  was  a  virtue,  as  by  tem 
perament  and  instinct.  Yet  here  he  saw  himself 
surrounded  by  hostile  faces,  for  a  crowd  soon 
collected.  Not  one  believed  in  his  innocence,  not 
even  the  lady  who  thought  it  was  such  a  pity 
that  he  was  "  so  young  and  yet  so  wicked." 

"Will  somebody  call  a  policeman?"  asked 
Vincent. 

A  policeman  soon  made  his  appearance.  He 
was  a  stout,  burly  man,  and  pushed  his  way 
through  the  crowd  without  ceremony. 

"What's   the   row?"   he   inquired. 

"  This  boy  has  picked  a  lady's  pocket,"  ex 
claimed  Vincent. 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  155 

The  officer  placed  his  hand  roughly  on  Tom's 
shoulder. 

"  You  were  a  little  too  smart,  young  feller!" 
said  he.  "  You  must  come  along  with  me." 

"I  didn't  take  the  money,"  protested  Tom, 
pale,  but  in  a  firm  voice. 

"That's   too  thin,"   said  Vincent,   with   a  sneer. 

"Yes,  it's  too  thin,"  repeated  two  or  three  in 
the  crowd. 

"It's   true,"   said   Tom. 

"  Perhaps  you'll  tell  us  how  the  money  came 
in  your  pocket,"  suggested  a  bystander. 

"  That  man  put  it  in,"  answered  Tom,  indi 
cating  Vincent. 

The   latter   shrugged   his   shoulders. 

"  He  says  so,  because  I  exposed  him,"  he 
remarked,  turning  to  the  crowd. 

"  Of  course ;  that's  a  common  game,"  inter 
posed  the  policeman. 

"Have  j'ou  any  reason  for  what  you  say,  my 
boy  ? "  asked  a  quiet-looking  man,  with  a  pleas 
ant  face. 

"  Of  course   he  hasn't,"  replied  Vincent,  hastily. 


156  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;    O/?, 

"  I  spoke  to  the   boy,   sir." 

"I  have  a  reason,"  answered  Tom.  UA  friend 
of  this  man  roomed  with  me  at  Eittsburg,  and 
during  the  night  tried  to  rob  me.  We  were  both 
passengers  on  the  '  River  Belle '  on  the  last  trip. 
During  the  trip  he  entered  our  state-room,  and 
stole  a  wallet  from  my  room-mate.  This  man 
slyly  put  it  into  my  pocket,  in  order  to  escape 
suspicion." 

"  It's  a  lie ! "  exclaimed  Vincent,  uneasily. 
"  Gentlemen,  the  boy  is  very  artful,  and  the 
greatest  liar  out." 

"Of  course  he  is!"  assented  the  policeman. 
"  Come  along,  young  feller  !  " 

"Wait  a  minute,"  said  the  quiet  man.  "Have 
you  any  proof  of  your  statements,  my  boy, 
except  your  own  word?" 

"  Yes,  sir ;  my  room-mate  will  tell  you  the 
same  thing." 

"Who  is  he?    Where   can  he  be   found?" 

"  He  is  Mr.  Nicholas  Waterbmy,  of  Marietta. 
He  is  now  at  the  Burnet  House." 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  157 

"  That's  all  gammon !  "  said  the  officer,  roughly. 
"  Come  along.  I  can't  wait  here  all  day." 

"  Don't  be  in  a  hurry,  officer,"  said  the  quiet 
man.  "  I  know  Mr.  Waterbury,  and  I  believe 
the  boy's  story  is  correct." 

4 ;  It  aint  any  of  your  business ! "  said  the 
officer,  insolently.  "  The  boy's  a  thief,  and  I'm 
goin'  to  lock  him  up." 

uLook  out,  sir!"  said  the  quiet  man,  sternly. 
"  You  are  overstepping  the  limits  of  your  duty, 
and  asserting  what  you  have  no  possible  means 
of  knowing.  There  is  reason  to  believe  that  this 
man  (pointing  out  Vincent)  is  the  real  thief.  I 
call  upon  you  to  arrest  him." 

"  I  don't  receive  no  orders  from  you,  sir,"  said 
the  policeman.  "I'm  more  likely  to  take  you 
along." 

"That's  right,  officer,"  said  Vincent,  approv 
ingly.  ' '  The  man  is  interfering  with  you  in  the 
exercise  of  }'our  duty.  You  have  a  perfect  right 
to  arrest  him." 

u  I  have  a  great  mind  to,"  said  the  officer, 
who  was  one  of  the  many  who  are  puffed  up  by 


158  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OB, 

a  little  brief  authority,  and  lose  no  opportunity 
of  exercising  it. 

The  quiet  man  did  not  seem  in  the  least 
alarmed.  He  smiled,  and  said,  "  Perhaps,  officer, 
it  might  be  well  for  you  to  inquire  my  name, 
before  proceeding  to  arrest  me." 

"Who  are  you?"  demanded  the  officer,  inso 
lently. 

"I  am  Alderman   Morris." 

A  great  change  came  over  the  policeman. 
He  knew  now  that  the  quiet  man  before  him  was 
President  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  and  he 
began  to  be  alarmed,  remembering  with  what 
rudeness  he  had  treated  him. 

"I  beg  your  pardon,  sir,"  he  said,  humbly; 
"I  didn't  know  you." 

"What  is  your  name,  sir?"  demanded  the 
alderman,  in  a  tone  of  authority. 

"  Jones,   sir." 

"How   long  have    you  been   on   the  force?" 

"  Six  months,   Your  Honor." 

"Then  you.  ought  to  be  better  fitted  for  your 
position  by  this  time." 


TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  159 

"  I  hope  you  won't  take  no  offence  at  what 
I  said,  not  knowing  3-011,  alderman." 

"  That's  no  personal  offence ;  but  I  object  to 
your  pronouncing  upon  the  guilt  of  parties 
arrested  when  you  know  nothing  of  the  matter." 

"Shall   I   take   the    boy    along,    sir?" 

uYes,  and  this  man  also.  I  don't  wish  to 
interfere  with  the  exercise  of  justice,  but  it  is  my 
opinion  that  the  boy  is  innocent." 

"I  protest  against  this  outrage,"  said  Vincent, 
nervously.  "Am  I  to  be  punished  because  I 
expose  a  thief? " 

."Come   along,    sir,"  said   the  policeman.     "The 
alderman   says   so." 

"  I  appeal  to  the  gentlemen  present,"  said 
Vincent,  hoping  for  a  forcible  deliverance. 

"  Madam,"  •  said  the  alderman  to  the  lady  who 
had  been  robbed,  "  did  you  see  the  boy  take 
your  pocket-book  ?  " 

"No,  sir;  I  thought  it  was  the  man,  till  he 
told  me  it  was  the  boy,  and  the  money  was 
found  on  the  boy." 

"  I    should    think    that    told     the    story,"    said 


160  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OK, 

Vincent.  "Any  man  here  might  be  arrested  as 
soon  as  I.  Fellow-citizens,  is  this  a  free  country, 
where  a  man  of  reputation  can  be  summarily 
arrested  at  the  bidding  of  another?  If  so,  I 
would  rather  live  under  a  monarchy." 

There  was  a  murmur  of  approval,  and  some 
sympathy  was  excited. 

"  There  will  be  no  injustice  done,  sir,"  said 
the  alderman.  "I  propose  to  follow  up  this 
matter  myself.  I  will  see  my  friend,  Mr.  Water- 
bury,  and  I  can  soon  learn  whether  the  boy's 
story  is  correct." 

"  He  may  lie  too!"  said  Vincent,  who  had 
very  good  reasons  for  fearing  Mr.  Waterbury's 
testimony.  ^ « 

"  Mr.    Waterbury   is    a    gentleman   of  veracity, 
said     Alderman     Morris,    sharply.       "I     see    you 
recognize   the    name." 

"Never  heard  of  him,"  said  Vincent.  "I  sup 
pose  it  is  one  of  the  boy's  confederates." 

"I  will  answer  for  him,"  said  the  alderman. 
"My  boy,"  he  said,  "I  hope  we  shall  be  able 
to  prove  your,  innocence.  Be  under  no  anxiety. 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS   THE   PLAINS.  161 

Go  with  the  officer,  and  I  will  seek  out  Mr. 
Waterbury.  Officer,  take  care  to  treat  him 
gently." 

"All   right,    sir!" 

There  was  no  fear  now  that  Tom  would  be 
roughly  treated.  He  had  too  much  regard  for 
his  own  interest,  and  his  tenure  of  office,  to 
disoblige  a  man  so  influential  and  powerful  as 
Alderman  Morris. 

Notwithstanding  there  had  been  such  a  turn 
in  his  favor,  Tom  felt  humiliated  to  feel  that  he 
was  under  restraint,  and  his  cheeks  burned  with 
shame  as  he  walked  beside  the  officer.  Vincent, 
upon  the  other  side,  gnashed  his  teeth  with  rage, 
as  he  thought  of  his  unexpected  detention.  Just 
as  revenge  was  in  his  grasp,  he  had  been  caught 
in  the  same  trap  which  he  had  so  willingly  set 
for  Tom. 

"  That  Alderman  Morris  is  a  fool ! "  he  said. 
"He  isn't  fit  to  be  in  office." 

4 'Don't  j'ou   say  nothin'   against  him!"  said  the 
policeman.     "It   won't  be  best  for  you.     He's  one 
of  our  leadin'   citizens,  Alderman   Morris  is." 
11 


162  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"  He  snubbed  you!"  sneered  Vincent.  "He 
talked  to  you  as  if  you  were  a  dog." 

"No,  he  didn't.  You'd  better  shut  up,  pris 
oner." 

"  Oh,  well,  if  you're  willing  to  be  trampled 
upon,  it  isn't  any  of  my  business.  I  wouldn't 
stand  it,  alderman  or  no  alderman.  Such  things 
wouldn't  be  allowed  in  New  York,  where  I  live." 

"  Oh,  New  York's  a  model  city,  so  I've  heard," 
retorted  the  policeman,  in  a  tone  of  sarcasm. 
"  We  don't  pretend  to  come  up  to  New  York." 

Finding  that  nothing  was  to  be  gained  by  con 
tinuing  his  attacks  upon  the  alderman,  Vincent 
became  silent ;  but  his  brain  was  active.  He  felt 
that  Mr.  Waterbur}T's  testimony  would  be  fatal  to 
him.  He  must  escape,  if  possible.  Soon  a 
chance  came.  He  seized  his  opportunity,  shook 
off  the  grasp  of  the  officer,  and  darted  away. 
Not  knowing  what  to  do  with  Tom,  who  was 
also  under  arrest,  the  officer  paused  an  instant, 
then,  leaving  our  hero,  hastened  in  pursuit. 

"  Now's  your  chance  to  escape,  boy!"  said  a 
sympathetic  bystander  to  him. 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  163 

"  I  don't  want  to  escape,"  answered  Tom.  "  I 
want  my  innocence  proved.  I  shall  stay  where 
I  am  till  the  officer  returns." 

And  he  kept  his  word.  Ten  minutes  later  the 
officer  came  back  puffing  and  panting,  after  an 
unsuccessfully  pursuit,  prepared  to  find  Tom  gone 
also. 

"  What,  are  you  there?"  he  asked,  staring  in 
wonder. 

"Yes,"  said  Tom;  "I  don't  want  to  escape. 
I  shall  come  out  right." 

"I  believe  you  will,"  said  the  officer,  with  a 
revulsion  of  sentiment  in  Tom's  favor.  "Just 
walk  along  beside  me,  and  I  won't  take  hold  of 
you.  I'm  not  afraid  of  your  running  away  now." 


164  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;    072, 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

TOM   GETS   OUT   OP  HIS   DIFFICULTY.   tW1^ 

TOM  had  not  been  long  in  the  station-house 
when  Alderman  Morris,  accompanied  l)y  Mr. 
Waterbury,  entered.  The  latter  looked  at  Tom 
•with  a  humorous  smile. 

"  You  don't  appear  to  get  along  ver}r  well 
without  my  guardianship,  Tom,"  he  said. 

"No,  sir,"  answered  Tom.  "The  trouble  is, 
some  of  my  other  friends  can't  let  me  alone." 

"Was  it  in  a  fit  of  emotional  insanity  that 
you  relieved  the  lady  of  her  pocket-book?"  asked 
Mr.  Waterbury,  bent  on  keeping  up  the  joke. 

"  If  I  ever  do  such  a  thing,  you  may  be  sure 
it  is  because  I  am  insane,"  answered  Tom,  posi 
tively. 

"I  shall,"  said  Mr.  Waterbury,  seriously. 
"  Now,  where  is  this  precious  acquaintance  of 
ours  who  got  you  into  this  scrape  ? " 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS    THE    PLAINS.  165 

"  He   has   escaped." 

"  Escaped !  "  exclaimed  the  alderman,  hastily. 
"How  is  that?" 

Here  the  policeman  took  up  the  story,  and 
explained  that  Vincent  had  taken  advantage  of 
his  double  charge  to  effect  his  escape. 

"I  suppose,  officer,"  said  Mr.  Waterbury,  "that 
you  were  unwilling  to  leave  Tom  in  order  to 
pursue  him." 

"  I  did  leave  him,  sir,  and  didn't  expect  to 
find  him  when  I  got  back.  But  there  he  was, 
waiting  for  me  as  quietly  as  —  anything." 

"  Didn't  you  feel  tempted  to  escape  too,  my 
boy?" 

"Why  should  I,  sir?  I  had  done  nothing;  I 
had  nothing  to  fear."  7^x^  W^  ^  &+J{ 

"  Innocence  is  not  always  a  protection,  for 
justice  is  sometimes  far  from  clear-sighted.  In 
the  present  case,  however,  I  think  you  will  not 
suffer  for  your  confidence." 

Tom  was  not  brought  to  trial.  Mr.  Waterbury 's 
statement  of  what  had  passed  on  the  voyage  of 
the  "River  Belle"  was  held  to  be  sufficient  to 


166  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

establish  Tom's  innocence,  and  he  was  allowed  to 
walk  out  with  Mr.  Waterbury. 

"Have  you  anything  to  do  this  morning,  Tom?'* 
asked  his  friend. 

"No,  sir." 

1  i  Then  come  round  and  dine  with  me  at  the 
Burnet  House.  Afterwards  we  will  call  upon  your 
friends,  the  Watsons." 

Mrs.  Watson  and  Jennie  had  altered  their  plans 
and  gone  to  a  boarding-house,  preferring  that  to  a 
hotel. 

"  That   will   be   agreeable   to   me,    sir." 

The  dinner  was  excellent,  and  Tom  did  full 
justice  to  it. 

"At  one  time  this  morning,  Tom,  it  looked  as 
if  you  would  dine  at  quite  a  different  place,"  said 
Mr.  Waterbury,  when  they  were  eating  the  dessert. 

"Yes,   sir." 

"You  won't  think  much  of  Cincinnati's  hospi 
tality,  eh,  Tom?" 

"Any  place  would  be  the  same,  where  Vincent 
was,"  returned  Tom. 

"Very  true;   he  and  Graham  will  bring  discredit 


TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  167 

on  any  city  which  they  adopt  as  a  home.  How 
long  shall  you  remain  here  ?  " 

"I  should  like  to  stay  long  enough  to  see  some 
thing  of  the  city,  but  I  cannot  afford  it.  I  must 
reach  California  as  soon  as  possible." 

"No  doubt  you  are  right,  in  your  circumstances. 
I  have  been  inquiring  for  you,  and  find  that  St. 
Joseph,  in  Missouri,  is  the  usual  starting-point  for 
travellers  across  the  plains.  I  find  an  acquaint 
ance  here  in  the  hotel,  who  will  start  to-morrow 
for  that  place.  I  have  mentioned  you  to  him, 
and  he  says  he  shall  be  glad  to  have  your  com 
pany  so  far.  Whether  you  keep  together  after 
wards  will  depend  upon  yourselves." 

"  I  shall  be  glad  to  have  company,  sir,"  said 
Tom.  Though  manly  and  self-reliant,  he  realized 
that  it  was  quite  a  serious  undertaking  for  a  boy 
of  his  age  to  make  the  trip  alone.  He  was  not 
sure  of  meeting  with  another  friend  like  Mr. 
Waterbury,  and  there  might  be  danger  of  falling 
in  with  another  brace  of  worthies  like  Graham 
and  Vincent. 

"My  friend's  name  is  Ferguson,  —  a  Scotchman, 


168  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

rather  sedate,  but  entirely  trustworthy.  I  will 
introduce  you  this  evening." 

''Thank  you,   sir." 

After  dinner  they  walked  to  Mrs.  Watson's 
boarding-house.  Somewhere  on  Vine  street  Mr. 
Waterbury  paused  in  front  of  a  jewelry  store. 

"  I  want  to  step  in  here  a  minute,  Tom,"  he 
eaid. 

"  Certainly,  sir." 

Tom  remained  near  the  door  while  Mr.  Water- 
bury  went  into  the  back  part  of  the  store,  where 
he  was  occupied  for  a  few  minutes  with  one  of 
the  proprietors.  When  he  came  back  he  held  a 
small  box  in  his  hand. 

"  Please   carry   this   for  me,    Tom,"   he   said. 

"With   pleasure,    sir." 

They  went  out  into  the   street  together. 

"Do  you  know  what  is  in  the  box,  Tom?" 
asked  Mr.  Waterbiuy. 

"No,  sir,"  answered  our  hero,  a  little  surprised 
at  the  question. 

"You  didn't  see  what  I  was  buying,  then?" 
continued  Mr.  Waterbury. 


TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  169 

"  No,  sir;  I  was  watching  the  crowds  on  the 
sidewalk." 

"  If  you  have  any  curiosity,  you  may  open  the 
box." 

Previously  Tom  had  felt  no  curiosity.  Now  he 
did  feel  a  little. 

Opening  the  box,  his  eye  rested  on  a  neat 
silver  watch,  with  a  chain  attached.  The  case 
was  a  pretty  one,  and  Tom  glanced  at  it  with 
approval. 

"It  is  very  pretty,  sir,"  he  said;  "but  I 
thought  you  had  a  watch  already." 

"I  didn't  buy   it   for   myself." 

"For  your  son?"   asked  Tom,   innocently. 

Mr.   Waterbury   smiled. 

"I  thought  of  asking  your  acceptance  of  it," 
he  said. 

"  You  don't  mean  that  you  are  going  to  give 
it  to  me,  sir?"  said  Tom,  eagerly. 

"If  you   will   accept  it." 

"  How  kind  you  are,  Mr.  Waterbury  !  "  exclaimed 
Tom,  gratefully.  "  There  is  nothing  in  the  world 
that  I  should  like  so  much.  How  can  I  thank  you  ?  " 


170  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    O72, 

"By  considering  it  a  proof  of  my  interest  in 
you.  I  was  sure  you  would  like  it.  Before  I  had 
reached  jour  age  the  great  object  of  my  ambition 
was  a  watch.  I  received  one  from  my  uncle,  ag 
a  gift,  on  my  seventeenth  birthday.  I  believe  I 
looked  at  it  once  in  five  minutes  on  an  average 
during  the  first  day." 

"I  dare  say  it  will  be  so  with  me,  sir,"  said 
Tom,  who,  at  the  moment,  had  the  watch  in  his 
hand,  examining  it. 

"  As  you  are  to  rough  it,  I  thought  it  best  to 
get  you  a  hunting-case  watch,  because  it  will  be 
less  liable  to  injury.  When  you  become  a  man 
I  hope  you  will  be  prosperous  enough  to  buy  a 
gold  watch  and  chain,  if  you  prefer  them.  While 
you  are  a  boy  silver  will  be  good  enough." 

"  Gold  wouldn't  correspond  very  well  with  my 
circumstances,"  said  Tom.  "I  didn't  dream  of 
even  having  a  silver  watch  and  chain  for  years 
to  come.  I  shall  write  home  this  evening,  and 
tell  mother  of  my  good  luck." 

"  Will  you  mention  that  you  have  already  been 
under  arrest  ? "  asked  Mr.  Waterbmy,  smiling. 


TOAfS    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  171 

Tom   shook  his   head. 

"I  am  not  proud  of  that,"  he  answered;  "  and 
it  would  only  trouble  them  at  home  to  have  an 
account  of  it.  When  I  get  home,  I  may  mention  it 
sometime." 

"  Better  put  on  your  watch  and  chain,  Tom, 
before  we  reach  Mrs.  Watson's." 

Tom   needed  no   second   invitation. 

"  It's  lucky  mother  put  a  watch-pocket  in  my 
vest,"  he  said.  "We  didn't  either  of  us  suppose 
there  would  be  any  occasion  for  it ;  but  I  asked 
her  to  do  it." 

In  a  nice-looking  brick  boarding-house  —  for  brown- 
stone  houses  were  not  then  often  to  be  found  — 
Tom  and  his  friend  found  Mrs.  Watson  and 
Jennie. 

"  I'm  so  glad  to  see  you,  Tom,"  said  Jennie. 
"I've  missed  you  awfully."  '^t^^f  -T^uc/ic 

"Thank  }Tou,"  said  Tom.  "I've  come  to  bid 
you  good-by." 

"Good-by!     You   don't  mean   that?" 

"  I  expect  to  start  for  St.  Joseph  to-morrow. 
I  am  in  a  hurry  to  get  to  California." 


172  THE  YOUNG  ADVENTURER;  OR, 

"  That's  real  mean.  I  don't  see  why  you  can't 
stay  in  Cincinnati  a  week." 

"I   should   like   to." 

"  Then  why  don't  you?"  persisted  the  young 
girl. 

"Jennie,"  said  her  mother,  "we  must  remem 
ber  that  Thomas  is  not  travelling  for  pleasure. 
He  is  going  to  California  to  seek  his  fortune. 
It  won't  do  for  him  to  linger  on  his  way." 

"  A  week  won't  make  much  difference ;  will  it, 
Tom?" 

"I  am  afraid  it  will,  Jennie.  Besides,  a  friend 
of  Mr.  Waterbury  will  start  to-morrow,  and  has 
agreed  to  take  me  with  him." 

"  I  suppose  you've  got  to  go,  then,"  said  Jennie, 
regretfully.  "  Oh,  where  did  you  get  that  watch, 
Tom?" 

i '  A  kind  friend  gave   it   to   me." 

' '  Who  do  you  mean,  —  Mr.  Graham  ? "  she 
asked,  archly. 

"He  would  be  more  likely  to  relieve  me  of  it. 
No,  it  is  Mr.  Waterbury." 

"I   am  going   to  kiss  you   for  that,  Mr.  Water- 


TOM%S   TRIP  ACROSS   THE   PLAINS.  173 


bury,"  said  Jennie,  impulsively  ;  and  she  suited 
the  action  to  the  word. 

"What  will  Mr.  Waterbury  think,  Jennie?" 
said  her  mother. 

"He  thinks  himself  well  repaid  for  his  gift," 
answered  that  gentleman,  smiling;  "and  half  in 
clined  to  give  Tom  another  watch." 

"Isn't  it  my  turn  now?"  asked  Tom,  with  a 
courage  at  which  he  afterwards  rather  wondered  ; 
but  he  was  fast  getting  rid  of  his  country  bash- 
fulness. 

"  I   never   kiss   boys,"   said  Jennie,    demurely. 

"  Then  I  will  grow  into  a  man  as  fast  as  I 
can,"  said  Tom,  "  and  give  somebody  a  watch, 
and  then  —  But  that  will  be  a  good  while  to 
wait." 

"I  may  kiss  3*011  good-by,"  said  Jennie,  "if 
I  feel  like  it." 

She  did  feel  like  it,  and  Tom  received  the  kiss. 

"  It  strikes  me,  Tom,"  said  Mr.  Waterbury,  as 
they  were  walking  home,  "  that  you  and  Jennie 
are  getting  along  fast." 

"  She   kissed  youjjgfirst,"   said   Tom,   blushing. 


174  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;    OZZ, 

"But    the    kiss    she    gave    me    was    wholly    on 
your   account."  ^ 

"She     seenis     just    like    a     sister,"    said 


She's   a  tip-top  girl." 


TOM'S   TRIP   ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  175 


CHAPTER     XIX. 

A   MISSOURI   TAVERN. 

THE  next  day  Tom  started  on  his  way.  His 
new  companion,  Donald  Ferguson,  was  a  sedate 
Scotchman,  and  a  thoroughly  reliable  man.  He 
was  possessed  to  the  full  of  the  frugality  char 
acteristic  of  the  race  to  which  he  belonged,  .and, 
being  more  accustomed  to  travelling  than  Tom, 
saved  our  hero  something  in  the  matter  of  expense. 
He  was  always  ready  to  talk  of  Scotland,  which 
he  evidently  thought  the  finest  country  in  the 
world.  He  admitted  that  Glasgow  was  not  as 
large  a  city  as  London,  but  that  it  was  more 
attractive.  As  for  New  York,  that  city  bore  no 
comparison  to  the  chief  city  of  Scotland. 

"You  must  go  to  Scotland  some  time,  Tom," 
he  said.  "If  you  can't  visit  but  one  country  in 
the  Old  World,  go  to  Scotland." 

Privately   Tom   was   of  opinion    that    he    should 


176  THE  YOUNG  ADVENTURER;  OTJ, 

prefer  to  visit  England;  but  he  did  not  venture 
to  hurt  the  feelings  of  his  fellow-traveller  by 
saying  so. 

"  I  wonder,  Mr.  Ferguson,"  he  could  not  help 
sa}*ing  one  day,  "  that  you  should  have  been 
willing  to  leave  Scotland,  since  you  so  much 
prefer  it  to  America." 

"  I'll  tell  you,  m}r  lad,"  answered  the  Scotch 
man.  "  I  would  rather  live  in  Scotland  than  an}- 
where  else  on  God's  footstool ;  but  I  won't  be 
denying  that  it  is  a  poor  place  for  a  man  to 
make  money  if  compared  with  a  new  country  like 
this." 

"There   are  no  gold  mines,   I   suppose,  sir?" 

"No;  and  the  land  is  not  as  rich  as  the  land 
here.  It  is  rich  in  historical  associations ;  but  a 
man,  you  know,  can't  live  on  those,"  he  added, 
shrewdly. 

"No,  I  should  think  not,"  said  Tom.  "It 
would  be  pretty  dry  diet.  How  long  have  you 
been  in  the  country,  Mr.  Ferguson?" 

"  A  matter  of  three  months  only,  my  lad.  It's 
the  gold  mines  that  brought  me  over.  I  read  of 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  177 

them  in  the  papers  at  home,   and   I   took  the  first 
ship  across  the  Atlantic." 

"Have  you  a   family,   Mr.  Ferguson?" 


"  I've  got  an  old  mother  at  home,  my  lad,  who 
looks  to  me  for  support.  I  left  fifty  pounds  with 
her  when  I  came  away.  It'll  last  her,  I'm  thinking 
till  I  can  send  her  some  from  California." 

"  Then,  Mr.  Ferguson,  you  are  like  me,"  said 
Tom.  "I  am  going  to  California  to  work  for 
my  father  and  mother.  Father  is  poor,  and  I  have 
brothers  and  sisters  at  home  to  provide  for.  I 
hope  I  shall  succeed,  for  their  sake." 

"You  will,  my  lad,"  said  the  Scotchman,  in 
a  tone  of  calm  confidence.  "It  is  a  noble  pur 
pose,  and  if  you  keep  to  it  God  will  bless  you 
in  your  undertaking,  and  give  you*a  good  fortune." 

"  I    hope  we   shall   both   be    fortunate." 

"I  have  no  fear.  I  put  my  trust  in  the  Lord, 
who  is  always  ready  to  help  those  who  are  working 
for  him." 

Tom  found  that  Mr.  Ferguson,  though  his  manner 
was  dry  and  unattractive,  was  a  religious  man, 
and  he  respected  and  esteemed  him  for  his  excel- 
12 


178  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    O#, 

lent  traits.  He  was  not  a  man  to  inspire  warm 
affection,  but  no  one  could  fail  to  respect  him. 
He  felt  that  he  was  fortunate  in  having  such  a  man 
for  his  companion,  and  he  was  glad  that  Mr. 
Ferguson  appeared  to  like  him  in  turn. 

He  also  found  that  the  Scotchman,  though  a 
man  of  peace,  and  very  much  averse  to  quarrelling, 
was  by  no  means  deficient  in  the  trait  of  personal 
courage. 

One  evening  they  arrived  at  a  small  tavern  in 
a  Missouri  town.  Neither  Tom  nor  his  companion 
particularly  liked  the  appearance  of  the  place  nor 
its  frequenters,  but  it  appeared  to  be  the  only 
place  of  entertainment  in  the  settlement. 

The  bar-room,  which  was  the  only  public  room 
set  apart  for  the  use  of  the  guests,  was  the  resort 
of  a  party  of  drunken  roisterers,  who  were  playing 
poker  in  the  corner,  and  betting  on  the  game. 
At  the  elbow  of  each  player  was  set  a  glass  of 
whiskey,  and  the  end  of  each  game  was  marked 
by  a  fresh  glass  all  around.  S^A^^/st^ 

Tom  and  Mr.  Ferguson  took  a  walk  after 
supper,  and  then  sat  down  quietly  at  a  little 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  179 

distance  from  the  card-players,  attracting  at  first 
but  little  attention  from  them. 

Presently,  at  the  close  of  a  game,  glasses  were 
ordered  for  the  party,  at  the  expense  of  those 
who  had  suffered  defeat. 

"  What'll  you  have,  strangers?"  inquired  a  tipsy 
fellow,  with  an  Indian  complexion  and  long  black 
hair,  staggering  towards  Ferguson. 

"Thank  }rou,  sir,"  said  the  Scotchman;  "but 
I  don't  drink." 

"Don't  drink!"  exclaimed  the  former,  in  evident 
surprise.  "What  sort  of  a  man,  pray,  may  you 
be? 

"I  am  a  temperance  man,"  said  Ferguson, 
adding  indiscreetly,  "  and  it  would  be  well  for 
you  all  if  you  would  shun  the  vile  liquor  which 

is   destroying    soul   and    bodv."  M^T  -  Mfl- 

*eOH 
" your    impudence!"    ejaculated   the   other, 

in   a   rage.  '  "  Do    you    dare    to    insult    gentlemen 
like   us?" 

"  I  never  insult  anybody,"  said  the  Scotchman, 
calmly.  "What  I  have  said  is  for  your  good, 
and  you  would  admit  it  if  you  were  sober." 


180  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    07J, 

"  Do  you  dare  to  say  I'm  drunk?"  demanded 
the  man,  in  a  fury. 

"Mr.  Ferguson,"  said  Tom,  in  a  low  voice, 
"I  wouldn't  provoke  him  if  I  were  you." 

But  the  Scotchman  was  no  coward,  and,  though 
generally  prudent,  he  was  too  fond  of  argument 
to  yield  the  point. 

"  Of  course  you're  drunk,"  he  said,  calmly.  "  If 
you  will  reflect,  you  show  all  the  signs  of  a  man 
that  has  taken'  too  much  liquor.  Your  face  is 

flushed,   your  hand  is  unstead\^,    and  — "     ^  vULQ. 

JT^IV^ 
He  was   interrupted   by    a   volley  of  execrations 

from  the  man  whom  he  was  coolly  describing,  and 
the  latter,  in  a  fit  of  fury,  struck  the  Scotchman 
in  the  face.  Had  the  blow  been  well-directed  it 
would,  for  the  time,  have  marred  the  small  share 
of  personal  beauty  with  which  nature  had  endowed 
Mr.  Ferguson ;  but  it  glanced  aside  and  just  struck 
him  on  his  prominent  cheek-bone. 

"A  ring!  a  ring!"  shouted  the  men  in  the 
corner,  jumping  to  their  feet  in  excitement.  "  Let 
Jim  and  the  Scotchman  fight  it  out." 

"  Gentlemen,"  said  Mr.  Ferguson,  "  I  don't  wish 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  181 

to  fight  with  your  friend.  He  is  drunk,  as  you 
can  see  plainly  enough.  I  don't  wish  to  fight  with 
a  drunken  man." 

"  Who  says  I  am  drunk?"  demanded  the  cham 
pion  of  whiskey.  "  Let  me  get  at  him." 

But  his  friends  were  now  holding  him  back. 
They  wanted  to  see  a  square  fight,  according  to 
rule.  It  would  prove,  in  their  opinion,  a  pleasant 
little  excitement. 

"  I  meant  no  offence,"  said  Ferguson ;  "  I  only 
told  the  truth." 

"You  are  a  \^—  liar!"  exclaimed  the  man, 
known  as  Jim. 

"I  do  not  heed  the  words  of  a  man  in  your 
condition,"  said  the  Scotchman,  calmly. 

"Pull    his   nose,    Jim!     Make    him    fight!"   ex 
claimed  the  friends  of  the  bully.     "  We'll  back  you  ! " 
The    hint  was    taken.      Jim    staggered    forward, 
and,  seizing  the   Scotchman's  prominent  nose,  gave 
it    a  violent  tweak. 

Now  there  are  few  men,  with  or  without  self- 
respect,  who  can  calmly  submit  to  an  insult  like 
this.  Certainly  Mr.  Donald  Ferguson  was  not  one 


182  TRE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

of  them.  The  color  mantled  his  high  cheek-bones, 
and  anger  gained  dominion  over  him.  He  sprang 
to  his  feet,  grasped  the  bully  in  his  strong  arms, 
dashed  him  backwards  upon  the  floor  of  the  bar 
room,  and,  turning  to  the  companions  of  the  fallen 
man,  he  said,  "  Now  come  on,  if  you  want  to 
fight.  I'll  take  you  one  by  one,  and  fight  the 
whole  of  you,  if  you  like."  ffi,c(HC  t>-<[  l*w 

Instead  of  being  angry,  they  applauded  his  pluck. 
They  cared  little  for  the  fate  of  their  champion, 
but  were  impressed  by  the  evident  strength  of 
the  stranger. 

"Stranger,"  said  one  of  them,  "you've  proved 
that  you're  a  man  of  honor.  We  thought  you 
were  a  coward.  It's  a  pity  you  don't  drink.  What 
may  your  name  be  ?  " 

"  Donald  Ferguson." 

"Then,  boys,  here's  to  the  health  of  Mr.  Fer 
guson.  He's  a  bully  boy,  and  no  coward." 

"Gentlemen,"  said  the  Scotchman,  "it's  a  com 
pliment  you  mean,  no  doubt,  and  I'm  suitably 
thankful.  If  you'll  allow  me,  I'll  drink  your  health 
in  a  liquor  which  will  not  injure  any  one.  I'll 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE    PLAINS.  183 

wish  you  health  and  prosperity  in  a  glass  of  cold 
water,  if  the  barkeeper  happens  to  have  any  of 
that  beverage  handy.  Tom,  join  with  me  in  the 
toast."  <10JL^(^^x^/^/>^^^^7 

Tom  did  so,  and  the   speech  was  well  received. 

"  As  for  this  gentleman,"  said  Mr.  Ferguson 
addressing  Jim,  who  had  struggled  to  his  feet, 
and  was  surveying  the  scene  in  rather  a  bewildered 
A  way,  "I  hope  he  won't  harbor  malice;  I've  only 
got  even  with  him.  We  may  as  well  forgive  and 
forget." 

"  That's  the  talk !  Jim,  drink  the  stranger's 
health ! " 

Jim  looked  a  little  doubtful,  but  when  a  glass 
of  whiskey  was  put  into  his  hand  he  could  not 
resist  the  seductive  draught,  and  tossed  it  down. 

' '  Now   shake   hands ! "   said   one   of  the  players. 

"With  all  my  heart,"  said  Ferguson;  and  the 
two  shook  hands,  to  the  great  delight  of  the 
compan}'. 

"You  got  off  pretty  well,  Mr.  Ferguson,"  said 
Tom,  when  they  retired  for  the  night. 

"  Yes,     my     lad,     better    than    I    expected.      I 


184  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    O7?, 

thought  once  I  would  have  to  fight  the  whole 
pack.  Poor  fellows  !  I  pity  them.  They  are  but 
slaves  to  their  appetites.  I  hope,  my  lad,  3rou'll 

never    yield  to   a  like   temptation."  C&1J2/S.  •»*  W 

(Jj&tUVULCk 
"  No  fear  for  me,  Mr.  Ferguson.     I   feel  as  you 

do   on   the   subject." 

The  journey  continued  till  one  day,  about  noon, 
they  reached  the  town  of  St.  Joseph,  popularly 
called  St.  Joe. 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  185 


CHAPTER    XX. 

ST.    JOE. 

ST.  JOE  was  at  that  time  the  fitting-out  point 
for  overland  parties  bound  for  California.  As  a 
matter  of  course  it  presented  a  busy,  bustling 
appearance,  and  seemed  full  of  life  and  movement. 
There  was  a  large  transient  population,  of  a  very 
miscellaneous  character.  It  included  the  thrifty, 
industrious  emigrant,  prepared  to  work  hard  and 
live  poorly,  till  the  hoped-for  competence  was 
attained  ;  but  there  was  also  the  shiftless  adventurer, 
whose  chief  object  was  to  live  without  work,  and 
the  unscrupulous  swindler,  who  was  ready,  if  oppor 
tunity  offered,  to  appropriate  the  hard  earnings 
of  others. 

"  It's   a   lively  place,  Mr.  Ferguson,"  said  Tom. 

"It  is,  indeed,  my  young  friend,"  said  the  cau 
tious  Scot;  "but  it  is  a  place,  to  my  thinking, 


186  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    O72, 

where  it  behooves  a  man  to  look  well  to  his 
purse." 

"  No  doubt  you  are  right,  Mr.  Ferguson.  I  have 
learned  to  be  cautious  since  my  adventure  with 
Graham  and  Vincent." 

"There's  many  like  them  in  the  world,  Tom. 
They  are  like  lions,  going  about  seeking  whom 
they  may  devour." 

»St.  Joseph  could  not  at  that  time  boast  any  first- 
class  hotels.  Inns  and  lodging-houses  it  had  in 
plenty.  At  one  of  these  —  a  two-story  building, 
dignified  by  the  title  of  "THE  PACIFIC  HOTEL"  — 
our  hero  and  his  Scotch  friend  found  accommo 
dations.  They  were  charged  two  dollars  and  a  half 
per  da}',  —  the  same  price  they  charged  at  first-class 
hotels  in  New  York  and  Boston,  while  their  rooms 
and  fare  were  very  far  from  luxurious.  The 
landlord  was  a  stout,  jolly  host,  with  a  round, 
good-natured  face. 

"  You  and  your  son  will  room  together,  I  sup 
pose,"  he  said. 

"  He  isn't  my  son,  but  a  young  friend  of  mine," 
said  Mr.  Ferguson. 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  187 

"I  thought  he  didn't  look  much  like  you,"  said 
the  landlord. 

"I  am  hard  and  weather-beaten,  while  he  is 
young  and  fresh." 

"Well,  gentlemen,  I  wish  you  both  good-luck. 
What  will  you  take?  I  have  a  superior  article 
of  whiskey  that  I  can  recommend." 

"Thank  you,  but  I  beg  you  will  excuse  rne, 
sir,"  said  Ferguson.  "  I  never  drink." 

"Nor  I,"  said  Tom;  "but  I  am  much  obliged 
to  you  all  the  same." 

"Well,  that  beats  me,"  said  the  landlord. 
"Why,  you  don't  know  what's  good.  You  aint 
a  minister,  are  }'ou?"  turning  to  Ferguson. 

"  I  have  not  that  high  distinction,  my  friend. 
I  am  an  unworthy  member  of  the  church  of  Scot 
land." 

"  I  don't  think  your  countrymen  generally  refuse 
whiskey." 

"  So  much  the  worse  for  them.  They  are  only 
too  fond  of  it.  My  own  brother  died  a  miserable 
death,  brought  on  by  his  love  of  liquor." 

"  Then  I  won't  press  you ;   but   I  say,  strangers, 


188  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;    OR, 

you  won't  find  many  of  your  way  of  thinking 
in  the  country  you're  going  to." 

"I  doubt  he's  right,  Tom,"  said  Ferguson  to 
Tom,  as  they  entered  the  chamber  assigned  to 
them.  "  We  may  not  be  together  always.  I  hope 
you  won't  be  led  away  by  them  that  offer  you 
strong  drink.  It  would  be  the  ruin  of  }rou,  boy." 

"  Don't  fear  for  me,  Mr.  Ferguson.  I  have  no 
taste  for  it." 

"Sometimes   it's   hard   to   refuse." 

"It   won't   be   hard   for   me." 

"I  am  glad  to  hear  you  say  that,  my  lad. 
You  are  young,  strong,  and  industrious.  You'll 
succeed,  I'll  warrant,  if  you  steer  clear  of  that 
quicksand." 

Later  in  the  day  the  two  friends  began  to  make 
inquiries  about  overland  travel.  They  had  no  wish 
to  remain  long  at  St.  Joe.  Both  were  impatient 
to  reach  the  land  of  gold,  and  neither  cared  to 
incur  the  expense  of  living  at  the  hotel  any 
longer  than  was  absolutely  necessar}7.  Luckily 
this  probably  would  not  be  long,  for  nearly  every 
day  a  caravan  set  out  on  the  long  journey,  and 


TOJlfS   TRIP  ACROSS    THE  PLAINS.  189 

doubtless  they  would  be  able  to  join  on  agreeing 
to  pay  their  share  of  the  expenses.  It  was  a 
great  undertaking,  for  the  'distance  to  be  traversed 
was  over  two  thousand  miles,  through  an  unset 
tled  country,  some  of  it  a  desert,  with  the  chances 
of  an  attack  by  hostile  Indians,  and  the  certainty 
of  weeks,  and  perhaps  months,  of  privation  and 
fatigue.  Mr.  Donald  Ferguson  looked  forward  to 
it  with  some  apprehension ;  for,  with  characteristic 
Scotch  caution,  he  counted  the  cost  of  whatever 
he  undertook,  and  not  did  fail  to  set  before  his  mind 
all  the  contingencies  and  dangers  attending  it. 

ult's  a  long  journey  we're  going  on,  my  lad,', 
he  said,  "  and  we  may  not  reach  the  end  of  it 
in  safety." 

"  It  isn't  best  to  worry  about  that,  Mr.  Fer 
guson,"  said  Tom,  cheerfully. 

"You  are  right,  my  lad.  It's  not  for  the  best 
to  worry,  but  it  is  well  to  make  provision  for 
what  may  happen.  Now,  if  anything  happens  to 
me,  I  am  minded  to  make  you  my  executor." 

"But  don't  you  think  I  am  too  3roung,  Mr. 
Ferguson  ?  " 


190  THE    YOUNG    ADVENTURER;    0J2, 

"You  are  o'er  young,  I  grant,  but  you.  are 
a  lad  of  good  parts,  temperate,  stead}r,  and  honest. 
I  have  no  other  friend  I  feel  like  trusting." 

"I  hope,  Mr.  Ferguson,  there  will  be  no  occa 
sion  to  render  you  any  such  service,  but  whatever 

I   can   I   will   do."  c(^-$  C^nJtA**  <f**(  ***$ 

*V&A  jyUrfi 
"It    will    be    very    simple.     You    will    take    my 

money,  and  see  that  it  is  sent  to  my  mother,  in 
Glasgow.  I  will  give  you  her  address  now,  and 
then,  if  any  sudden  fate  overtakes  me,  there  will 
be  no  trouble.  You  Avill  know  just  what  to  do." 

Tom  was  nattered  by  this  mark  of  confidence. 
It  was  evident  that  the  cautious  Scotchman  had 
formed  a  very  favorable  opinion  of  him,  or  he 
would  not  have  selected  so  young  a  boy  for  so 
important  a  trust. 

"Will  you  do  the  same  for  me,  Mr.  Ferguson?" 
he  asked,  with  the  sudden  reflection  that,  young 
as  he  was,  there  was  no  absolute  certainty  of 
his  living  to  reach  California. 

"  Surely   I   will,    my  lad." 

"If  I  should  die  I  should  want  any  money 
I  might  have  left  sent  to  my  father." 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  191 

"  Give  me  his  address,  my  lad,  and  it  shall 
be  done.  It  is  a  good  precaution,  and  we  shan't 
either  of  us  die  the  sooner  for  doing  our  duty, 
to  the  best  of  our  ability,  by  those  who  would 
mourn  our  loss." 

Tom  and  his  friend  instituted  inquiries,  and 
ascertained  that  two  days  later  a  caravan  was  to 
start  on  its  way  across  the  continent.  They  as 
certained,  also,  that  the  leader  of  the  expedition 
was  a  pioneer  named  Fletcher,  who  was  making 
his  home  at  the  California  Hotel.  They  made 
their  way  thither,  and  were  fortunate  enough  to 
find  Mr.  Fletcher  at  home.  He  was  a  stout, 
broad-shouldered  man,  a  practical  farmer,  who  was 
emigrating  from  Illinois.  Unlike  the  majorit}"  of 
emigrants,  he  had  his  family  with  him,  namely, 
a  wife,  and  four  children,  the  oldest  a  boy  of 
twelve. 

"  My  friend,"  said  Ferguson,  "  I  hear  that  you 
are  soon  leaving  here  with  a  part}7  for  California." 

"  I  leave  day  after  to  morrow,"  answered 
Fletcher. 

"Is    your  party   wholly   made   up?" 


192  THE    YOUNG    ADVENTURER;    O/2, 

' '  We  are  about  full ;  but  we  might  receive  one 
or  two  more." 

' '  My  young  friend  and  I  wish  to  join  some 
good  party,  as  we  cannot  afford  to  remain  here, 
and  we  are  anxious  to  get  to  work  as  soon  as 
possible." 

Some  care  needed  to  be  exercised  in  the  choice 
of  a  part}T,  as  there  were  some  who  would  only 
give  trouble  and  annoyance,  or  perhaps  fail  to 
pay  their  proper  share  of  the  expenses.  But  Fer 
guson's  appearance  was  sufficient  guarantee  of  his 
reliabilit}7,  and  no  one  was  likely  to  object  to 
Tom. 

"Of  course,"  added  Ferguson,  "we  are  ready  to 
bear  our  share  of  the  expense." 

"  Then  you  can  come,"  said  Fletcher.  "  You 
will  both  need  revolvers,  for  we  may  be  attacked 
by  Indians,  and  must  be  able  to  defend  ourselves." 

"  Certainly,    we   will   do   our   part,    if  need   be." 

This  was  an  expense  which  Tom  had  not  fore 
seen  ;  but  he  at  once  saw  the  importance  of  being 
armed  when  crossing  such  a  country  as  lay  before 
them,  and  went  with  Ferguson  to  make  the  need- 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS    THE  PLAINS.  193 

ful  purchase.  His  Scotch  friend  instructed  him  in 
the  method  of  using  his  new  weapon,  and  Tom 
felt  a  boy's  natural  pride  in  his  new  acquisition. 
He  felt  years  older  than  he  did  on  the  morning 
when  he  left  his  country  home.  He  had  gained 
some  knowledge  of  the  world,  and  felt  a  greater 
confidence  in  himself  on  that  account.  He  looked 
forward  to  the  remainder  of  his  journey  with 
pleasurable  excitement,  and  lost  no  time  in  making 
the  necessary  preparations. 
13 


194  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;    OK, 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

HOW   THINGS    WENT    ON   AT   HOME. 

WHILE  Tom  was  slowly  making  his  way  west 
ward,  there  was  one  place  where  tidings  from 
him  were  anxiously  awaited,  and  where  nightly 
prayers  were  offered  for  his  health  and  safe  prog 
ress.  Of  course  this  was  the  dear,  though  humble, 
farm-house,  which  had  been  his  home. 

Twice  a  week  Tom  wrote,  and  his  letters  were 
cheerful  and  reassuring. 

Don't  trouble  yourself  about  me,  dear  mother,  (he 
wrote  from  Cincinnati.)  I  am  making  friends,  and  learning 
how  to  travel.  I  feel  years  older,  and  rely  much 
more  on  myself  than  when,  an  inexperienced  boy,  I  bade 
you  good-by.  I  am  a  thousand  miles  from  you,  and  the 
longest  and  most  difficult  part  of  the  journey  lies  before 
me;  but  with  health,  and  strength,  and  prudence,  I  hope 
to  arrive  in  good  condition  at  my  destination.  As  to  health 
I  never  felt  better  in  my  life,  and  I  have  taken  lessons 


TO3TS   TRIP  ACROSS    THE    PLAINS.  195 

in  prudence  and  caution  which  will  be  of  essential  ser 
vice  to  me.  I  have  found  that  a  boy  who  goes  out  into 
the  world  to  seek  his  fortune  cannot  trust  everybody  he 
falls  in  with.  He  will  find  foes  as  well  As  friends,  and 
he  will  need  to  be  on  his  guard. 

I  start  to-morrow  for  St.  Joseph,  in  Missouri,  going 
by  way  of  St.  Louis.  Mr.  Donald  Ferguson,  a  middle- 
aged  Scotchman,  is  my  companion.  A  younger  and  livelier 
companion  might  prove  more  agreeable,  but  perhaps  not 
so  safe.  Mr.  Ferguson  is  old  enough  to  be  my  father, 
and  I  shall  be  guided  by  his  judgment  where  my  own  is 
at  fault.  He  is  very  frugal,  as  I  believe  his  countrymen 
generally  are,  and  that,  of  course,  just  suits  me.  I  don't  know 
how  long  I  shall  be  in  reaching  St.  Joseph,  but  I  shall  write 
you  once  or  twice  on  the  way.  Give  my  love  to  father, 
Sarah,  Walter,  and  Harry,  and  keep  a  great  deal,  for 
yourself. 

Your  loving  son, 

TOM. 

"Tom  is  growing  manly,  Mary,"  said  Mark 
Nelson  to  his  wife.  "It's  doing  him  good  to 
see  a  little  of  the  world." 

"  I  suppose  it  is,  Mark,"  said  his  wife ;  but 
the  more  I  think  of  it  the  more  I  feel  that  he 


196  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;    O/J, 

is  very    young  to  undertake   such   a  long   journey 
alone." 

"He  is  young,  but  it  will  make  a  man  of 
him." 

"  He  must  be  having  a  tip-top  time,"  said 
Walter ;  "I  wish  I  were  with  him." 

"You  would  be  more  of  a  hindrance  than  a 
help  to  him,  "Walter,"  said  Mark  Nelson. 

"You  are  only  a  child,  you  know,"  said 
Sarah,  in  an  elder-sister  tone. 

"What  do  you  call  yourself?"  retorted  Walter. 
"You  are  only  two  years  older  than  I  am." 

"Girls  always  know  more  than  boys  of  the 
same  age,"  said  Sarah,  condescendingly.  "Besides, 
I  haven't  said  anything  about  going  out  to  Cali 
fornia." 

"  No,  I  should  think  not.  A  girl  that's  afraid 
of  a  mouse  had  better  stay  at  home." 

Walter  referred  to  an  incident  of  the  day  pre 
vious,  when  the  sudden  appearance  of  a  mouse 
threw  Sarah  into  a  panic. 

"Are  there  any  mouses  in  California?"  asked 
little  Harry,  with  interest. 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  197 

"  If  there  are  I  could  carry  a  cat  with  me," 
returned  Sarah,  good-humoredly. 

Mark  Nelson,  though  he  felt  Tom  was  a  boy 
to  be  trusted,  did  ask  himself  occasionally 
whether  he  had  been  wise  in  permitting  him  to 
leave  home  under  the  circumstances.  Suppose  he 
continued  in  health,  there  were  doubts  of  his  suc 
cess.  His  golden  dreams  might  not  be  realized. 
The  two  hundred  dollars  which  he  had  raised 
for  Tom  might  be  lost,  and  bring  in  no  return ; 
and  this  would  prove  a  serious  loss  to  Mark, 
hampered  as  he  was  already  by  a  heavy  mort 
gage  on  hi&  farm.  Would  Squire  Hudson  be 
forbearing,  if  ill  luck  came?  This  was  a  ques 
tion  he  could  not  answer.  He  only  knew  that 
such  was  not  the  squire's  reputation. 

"Well,  Mr.  Nelson,  what  do  you  hear  from 
Tom,"  asked  the  squire,  one  day  about  this 
time.  "How  far  is  he  on  his  way?" 

"We  received  a  letter  from  Cincinnati  yester 
day.  He  then  was  about  starting  for  St.  Jo 
seph." 

"Does   he   seem   to   enjoy   the  journey?" 


198  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    O72, 

"He  writes  in  excellent  spirits.  He  says  he 
has  met  with  good  friends." 

"Indeed!   How  does  his  money  hold  out?" 

"He  does  not   speak   of  that." 

"Oh,  well,  I  dare  say  he  is  getting  along 
well ; "  and  the  squire  walked  on. 

"Does  he  feel  interested  in  Tom,  or  not?" 
queried  Mark  Nelson,  as  he  looked  thoughtfully 
after  the  squire,  as  he  walked  on  with  stately 
steps,  leaning  slightly  on  his  gold-headed  cane. 
He  might  have  been  enlightened  on  this  point, 
if  he  could  have  heard  a  conversation,  later  in 
the  day,  between  Squire  Hudson  and  his  son 
Sinclair. 

"  I  saw  Mark  Nelson  this  morning,"  he  ob 
served  at  the  supper  table. 

"Has   he   heard  from   Tom?" 

"Yes;   his  son  wrote   him   from   Cincinnati." 

"I  wish  I  could  go  to  Cincinnati,"  grumbled 
Sinclair;  "I  think  I  have  a  better  right  to  see 
the  world  than  Tom  Nelson." 

"All  in  good  time,  my  son.  Tom  is  not 
travelling  for  pleasure." 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  199 

"Still,  he   is   getting  the  pleasure." 

"He  will  have  to  work  hard  when  he  reaches 
California.  Probably  he  won't  have  a  cent  left 
when  he  gets  there." 

"What   will  he  do  then?" 

"He   must   earn   money." 

"Do   you   think   he   will  do   well,   father?" 

"He  may,  and  then  again  he  may  not,"  an 
swered  the  squire,  judicially. 

"If  he  don't,  how  is  he  going  to  pay  you 
back  the  money  you  lent  him  ? " 

"I  always  thought  your  father  was  foolish  to 
lend  Lis  money  to  a  boy  like  that,"  said  Mrs. 
Hudson,  querulous^. 

"  Women  know  nothing  about  business,"  said 
the  squire,  with  an  air  of  superior  wisdom. 

"  Sometimes  men  don't  kno  w  much,"  retorted  his 
wife. 

"  If  you  refer  to  me,  Mrs.  Hudson,"  said  her 
husband,  "3*011  need  have  no  anxiety.  I  did  not 
lend  the  money  to  the  boy,  but  to  his  father." 

"That  isn't  much  better.  Everybody  knows 
that  Mark  Nelson  has  all  that  he  can  do  to 


200  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

get  along.  His  wife  hasn't  had  a  new  dress 
for  years." 

The  squire's  face  grew  hard  and  stern.  He 
had  never  loved  his  wife,  and  never  forgiven 
Mrs.  Nelson,  whom  he  had  loved  as  much  as 
he  was  capable  of  doing,  for  refusing  his  hand. 

"  She  has  made  her  bed  and  she  must  lie 
upon  it,"  he  said,  curtly.  "  She  might  have 
known  that  Mark  Nelson  would  never  be  able  to 
provide  for  her." 

"Perhaps  she  never  had  any  other  offer," 
said  Mrs.  Hudson,  who  was  ignorant  of  a 
certain  passage  of  her  husband's  life. 

"Probably  she  did,  for  she  was  a  very  pretty 
girl." 

"Then  she's  faded,"  said  Mrs.  Hudson,  toss 
ing  her  head. 

Squire  Hudson  did  not  reply ;  but  as  his  eyes 
rested  on  the  sharp,  querulous  face  of  his  help 
mate,  and  he  compared  it  mentally  with  the  pleasant 
face  of  Mrs.  Nelson,  he  said  to  himself  that, 
faded  or  not,  the  latter  was  still  better-look 
ing  than  his  wife  had  been  in  the  days  of  her 


TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  201 

youth.  -  Of  course  it  would  not  do  to  say  so, 
for  Mrs.  Hudson  was  not  amiable. 

"  Mark  Nelson  has  given  me  security,"  said 
the  squire,  returning  to  the  point  under  discus 
sion.  "  I  hold  a  mortgage  on  his  farm  for  the 
whole  amount  he  owes  me." 

"  Do  you  think  you  shall  have  to  foreclose, 
father?"  asked  Sinclair. 

"  If  Tom  does  not  succeed  in  California,  I 
probably  shall,"  said  the  squire. 

"Do  you  think   he   will   succeed?" 

"He  may  be  able  to  make  a  living;  but  I 
don't  think  he  will  be  able  to  help  his  father  any." 

"Then   why   did  you  lend  him  the   money?" 

"He  wanted  to  go,  and  was  willing  to  take 
the  risk.  I  lent  the  money  as  a  business  operation." 

"Suppose  Mr.  Nelson  loses  his  farm,  what  will 
he  do?"  inquired  Sinclair. 

"I  really  don't  know,"  answered  the  squire, 
shrugging  his  shoulders.  "That  is  no  concern  of 
mine." 

' '  Tom  wouldn't  put  on  so  many  airs  if  his  father 
had  to  go  to  the  poor-house,"  said  Sinclair. 


202  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    072, 

"Does   he  put  on  airs?" 

"He  seems  to  think  he  is  as  good  as  I  am," 
said  Squire's  Hudson's  heir. 

"That  is  perfectly  ridiculous,"  said  Mrs.  Hud 
son.  "The  boy  must  be  a  fool." 

"He  is  no  fool,"  said  the  squire,  who  did  not 
allow  prejudice  to  carry  him  so  far  as  his  wife 
and  son.  "  He  is  a  boy  of  very  fair  abilities ; 
but  I  apprehend  he  will  find  it  harder  to  make 
his  fortune  than  he  anticipated.  However,  time 
will  show." 

"Most  likely  he'll  come  home  in  rags,  and  grow 
up  a  day-laborer,"  said  Sinclair,  complacently. 
"When  I'm  a  rich  man  I'll  give  him  work.  He 
won't  feel  like  putting  on  airs,  then."  . 

"What  a  good  heart  Sinclair  has!"  said  Mrs. 
Hudson,  admiringly. 

Squire  Hudson  said  nothing.  Possibly  the  good 
ness  of  his  son's  heart  was  not  so  manifest  to 
him. 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS    THE  PLAINS.  203 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

THE  YOUNG  MAN  FROM  BOSTON. 

SOON  after  leaving  St.  Joe,  the  emigrant  train 
which  Tom  had  joined  entered  the  territory  of 
Kansas.  At  that  earty  da}r  the  settlement  of  this 
now  prosperous  State  had  scarcely  begun.  Its 
rich  soil  was  as  yet  un vexed  by  the  plough  and 
the  spade,  and  the  tall  prairie  grass  and  virgin 
forest  stretched  for  many  and  many  a  mile  west 
ward  in  undisturbed  loneliness. 

One  afternoon,  towards  the  setting  of  the  sun, 
the  caravan  halted  on  the  site  of  the  present 
capital  of  the  State,  Topeka.  The  patient  oxen, 
wearied  with  the  twenty  miles  they  had  travelled, 
were  permitted  to  graze.  The  ten  baggage  wagons  — 
or  "  ships  of  the  plain,"  as  they  were  sometimes 
called  —  came  to  anchor  in  a  sea  of  verdure.  They 
were  ranged  in  a  circle,  the  interior  space  being 
occupied  as  a  camping-ground.  Then  began  prepa- 


204  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

rations  for  supper.  Some  of  the  party  were  sent 
for  water.  A  fire  was  built,  and  the  travellers, 
with  a  luxurious  enjoyment  of  rest,  sank  upon 
the  grass. 

Donald  Ferguson  looked  thoughtfully  over  the 
vast  expanse  of  unsettled  prairie,  and  said  to 
Tom,  "  It's  a  great  county,  Tom.  There  seems 
no  end  to  it." 

"  That's  the  way  I  felt  when  I  was  plodding 
along  to-day  through  the  mud,"  said  Tom,  laugh 
ing. 

44  It's  because  the  soil  is  so  rich,"  said  the 
Scotchman.  "  It'll  be  a  great  farming  country 
some  day,  I'm  thinking." 

*'  I  suppose  the  soil  isn't  so  rich  in  Scotland, 
Mr.  Ferguson?" 

"No,  my  lad.  'it's  rocky  and  barren,  and  cov 
ered  with  dry  heather;  but  it  produces  rare  men, 
for  all  that." 

Mr.  Ferguson  was  patriotic  to  the  backbone. 
He  would  not  claim  for  Scotland  what  she  could 
not  fairly  claim;  but  he  was  all  ready  with  some 
compensating  claim. 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE  PLAINS.  205 

' '  How  do  you  stand  the  walking,  Mr.  Ferguson  ?  " 

"  I'm  getting  used   to   it." 

"  Then  it's  more  than  I  am.     I  think  it's  beastly." 

These  words  were  not  uttered  by  Tom,  but  by 
rather  a  dandified-looking  young  man,  who  came 
up  limping.  He  was  from  Koston,  and  gave  his 
name  as  Lawrence  Peabod}7.  He  had  always  lived 
in  Boston,  where  he  had  been  employed  in  vari 
ous  genteel  avocations ;  but  in  an  evil  hour  he 
had  been  lured  from  his  comfortable  home  by 
the  seductive  cry  of  gold,  and,  laying  down  his 
yardstick,  had  set  out  for  California  across  the 
plains.  He  was  a  slender  young  man,  with  limbs 
better  fitted  for  dancing  than  for  tramping  across 
the  prairie,  and  he  felt  bitterly  the  fatigue  of  the 
journey. 

uAre  you   tired,  Mr.    Peabody?"   asked  Tom. 

"  I  am  just  about  dead.  I  didn't  bargain  for 
walking  all  the  way  across  the  prairies.  Why 
couldn't  old  Fletcher  let  me  ride?" 

"The  oxen  have  had  all  they  could  do  to-day 
to  draw  the  wagons  through  the  mud." 

"  Look    at    those    boots,"    said    the    Bostonian, 


206  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

ruefully,  pointing  to  a  pair  of  light  calf-skin 
boots,  which  were  so  overlaid  with  mud  that  it 
was  hard  to  tell  what  was  their  original  color. 
"I  bought  those  boots  in  Boston  only  two  weeks 
ago.  Everybody  called  them  stylish.  Now  they 
are  absolutely  disreputable." 

"It  seems  to  me,  my  friend,"  said  the  Scotch 
man,  "that  you  did  not  show  much  sagacity  in 
selecting  such  boots  for  your  journey.  My  young 
friend,  Tom,  is  much  better  provided." 

"His  boots  are  cowhide,"  said  Mr.  Lawrence 
Peabody,  disdainfully.  "  Do  you  think  I  would 
wear  cowhide  boots  ?  " 

'•You  would  find  them  more  serviceable,  Mr. 
Peabody,"  said  Tom.  "  Besides,  I  don't  believe 
anybody  could  tell  the  difference  now." 

"How  much  did  you  pay  for  them?"  asked 
the  Bostonian. 

"A   dollar   and   a  half." 

"  Humph !  I  thought  so,"  returned  Peabody, 
contemptuously.  "  We  don't  wear  cowhide  boots 
in  Boston." 

"You   are   not  in   Boston   now." 


TOM S  TRIP  ACROSS  THE  PLAINS.       207 

"  I  wish  I  was,"  said  Peabody,  energetically. 
"  I  wouldn't  have  started  if  I  had  known  what 
was  before  me.  1  expected  to  travel  like  a 
gentleman,  instead  of  wading  through  this  cursed 
mud  till  I'm  ready  to  drop.  Look  at  my  panta 
loons,  all  splashed  with  mire.  What  would  my 
friends  say  if  I  should  appear  in  this  rig  on 
Washington  street  ?  " 

"  They  might  take  you  for  a  bog-trotter,"  said 
Tom,  smiling. 

"  I  have  always  been  particular  about  my  ap 
pearance,"  said  Peabody,  plaintively.  "'He  looks 
just  as  if  he'd  come  out  of  a  bandbox,'  some  of 
my  lady  friends  used  to  say.  How  do  I  look 
now?" 

"Like  a  dirty-handed  son  of  toil,"  said  Tom, 
humorously. 

"  So  do  you,"  retorted  Peabody,  who  felt  that 
this  was  uncomplimentary. 

"I  admit  it,"  said  Tom;  "and  that's  just  what 
I  expect  to  be.  You  don't  expect  to  dig  gold 
with  kid  gloves  on,  do  you,  Mr.  Peabody  ? " 

"  I   wish   I   had    brought    some   with    me,"   said 


208  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OJ2, 

the  Bostonian,  seriously.  "  It  would  have  saved 
my  hands  looking  so  dingy." 

"How  came  you  to  start  for  California,  my 
friend?"  inquired  Ferguson. 

"The  fact  is,"  said  Peabody,  "I  am  not  rich. 
There  are  members  of  our  family  who  are  wealthy  ; 
but  I  am  not  one  of  the  lucky  number." 

"You  were  making  a  living  at  home,  were  you 
not?" 

"Yes;  but  my  income  was  only  enough  for 
myself." 

"I  suppose  you  were   in  love,  then,"  said   Tom. 

"  I  don't  mind  sa}4ng  that  I  was ;  confiden 
tially,  of  course,"  said  Mr.  Peabody,  compla 
cently. 

"Was  your  love   returned?" 

"  I  may  say  it  was.  The  young  lady  was  the 
daughter  of  a  merchant  prince.  I  saw  that  she 
loved  me,  but  her  father  would  not  consent  to 
our  union,  on  account  of  my  limited  means.  I 
read  in  the  '  Transcript '  of  the  gold  discoveries  in 
California.  I  determined  to  go  out  there,  and 
try  my  fortune.  If  I  am  successful  I  will  go 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  209 

home,    and,   with    a  bag    of   gold    in    each    hand, 

* 

demand  the  hand  of  Matilda  from  her  haughty 
sire.  When  he  asks  me  for  my  credentials,  I 
will  point  to  the  gold,  and  say,  '  Behold  them 
here!'" 

"  If  both  your  hands  are  full  I  don't  see  how 
3*ou  can  point  to  the  bags  of  gold,"  said  Tom, 
who  liked  to  tease  the  young  Bostonian. 

"  There  are  a  great  many  things  you  don't 
understand,"  said  Mr.  Peabody,  irritably. 

"  He  is  right,  Tom,"  said  Ferguson,  with  a 
quiet  smile. 

"If  you  are  both  against  me,  I  will  give  it 
up,"  said  Tom.  "  All  I  can  sa}T  is,  I  hope  you'll 
get  the  two  bags  of  gold,  Mr.  Peabody,  and  that 
you'll  get  the  }7oung  lad}r  too." 

Here  Fletcher  came  up,  and  called  upon  Tom 
to  assist  in  preparations  for  supper.  Our  hero 
readily  complied  with  the  request.  Indeed,  he 
always  showed  himself  so  obliging  that  he  won 
the  favorable  regards  of  all. 

Mr.    Peabody    continued    the    conversation    with 

Mr.   Ferguson. 

LI 


210  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    O72, 

"Do  you  think  there's  as  much  gold  in  Cali 
fornia  as  people  say  ? "  he  asked. 

4 'No,"   answered   the   Scotchman. 

"  You  don't?"  ejaculated  the  Bostonian,  in  dismay. 

"No;  people  always  magnify  when  they  talk 
of  a  new  countrj7.  Now,  my  friend,  how  much 
do  you  expect  to  get  in  the  first  year?" 

"Well,  about  fifty  thousand  dollars,"  answered 
Peabody. 

"  And  how  much  were  you  earning  in  Boston, 
—  a  thousand  dollars  ?  " 

"  About  that,"  answered  Peabody,  vaguety.  "In 
fact,  he  had  been  working  on  a  salary  of  twelve 
dollars  a  week,  in  a  retail  dry  goods  store  on 
Washington  street." 

"Then  you  expect  to  make  fifty  times  as  much 
as  at  home  ? " 

"Don't  you   think   I   will?" 

"  I  have  never  had  such  large  expectations. 
If  I  make  three  or  four  thousand  dollars  in 
twelve  months  it  will  satisfy  me." 

"  But  a  man  would  never  get  rich,  at  that  rate/' 
said  Lawrence  Peabody,  uneasily. 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    1HE   PLAINS.  211 

c '  I  don't  know  about  that.  It  depends  as  much 
on  what  a  man  does  with  his  money,  as  on  the 
amount  he  makes,"  said  the  prudent  Scot. 

"I  am  afraid  I  did  wrong  in  leaving  Boston," 
said  Peabody, gloomily.  "If  I  am  to  travel  many 
weeks  through  the  mud,  and  get  no  more  than 
that,  I  shall  feel  that  I  am  poorly  paid." 

"You  don't  feel  like  my  young  friend  Tom. 
He  is  full  of  hope,  and  enjoys  everything." 

"He  hasn't  been  brought  up  as  I  have,"  said 
Peabody.  "  A  country  boy  in  cowhide  boots  is 
tough,  and  don't  mind  roughing  it." 

Ferguson  did  not  have  a  chance  to  answer,  for 
there  was  a  summons  to  supper, —  a  welcome  call, 
that  made  even  Mr.  Lawrence  Peabody  look  cheer 
ful  for  the  time  being. 


212  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;    OR, 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 
MR.  PEABODY'S  TROUBLES. 

WHEN  the  party  camped  for  the  night  the  cus 
tom  was  to  arrange  the  baggage  wagons  in  a 
semi-circle,  and  provide  a  resting-place  for  the 
women  and  children  inside.  As  they  were  pass 
ing  through  a  country  occupied  b}r  Indians  it  was 
necessary  to  post  one  or  more  sentinels  to  keep 
watch  through  the  night,  and  give  notice  of  any 
who  might  be  seen  lurking  near  the  camp.  For 
tunately,  however,  an  Indian  attack  was  seldom 
made  at  night.  The  time  generally  selected  was 
in  the  morning,  when  the  party  were  preparing 
to  start  on  their  day's  march.  Tom,  as  a  bo}T, 
would  have  been  excused  taking  his  turn ;  but 
this  did  not  suit  him.  He  requested,  as  a  favor, 
that  he  might  stand  watch  with  the  rest. 

"Can     he     be     relied     upon?      Is     he     not    too 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  213 

young?"  asked  Fletcher,  the  leader,  of  Me.  Fer 
guson. 

"You  can  depend  upon  him,"  said  the  Scotch 
man,  confidently.  "There's  more  manliness  in 
Tom  than  in  many  men  of  twice  his  years." 

"  Then  I  will  put  his  name  on  the  list,"  said 
Fletcher. 

"  That's  right.     I'll    answer  for  him." 

But  there  was  one  of  the  travellers  who  was 
by  no  means  eager  to  stand  on  watch.  This  was 
Lawrence  Peabody,  the  young  man  from  Boston. 
He  sought  an  interview  with  Fletcher,  and  asked 
tq  be  excused. 

"On  what  grounds,  Mr.  Peabody?"  asked 
Fletcher,  surprised. 

"It  doesn't  agree  with  me  to  lose  my  night's 
sleep,"  said  Peabody.  "  I  am  naturally  delicate, 
and  —  " 

"Your  excuse  is  not  satisfactory,  Mr.  Pea- 
body.  We  are  banded  together  in  a  little  com- 
munit}T,  having  mutual  rights  and  mutual  obligations. 
In  the  arrangements  made  for  the  common  safety 
it  is  your  duty  to  bear  your  part." 


214  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    O/i, 

"  I  am  willing  to  provide  a  substitute,"  said 
Peabody,  eagerly. 

"Where  will  you   find   a   substitute?" 

"  I  have  been  talking  with  Tom  Nelson.  He 
says  he  is  willing  to  serve  in  my  turn." 

' '  He  will  serve  when  his  own  turn  comes ;  that 
will  be  all  we  can  expect  of  him." 

"  But  he  is  only  a  boy.  Why  should  he  be 
expected  to  take  his  turn?" 

"If  he  is  old  enough  to  be  a  substitute,  he  is 
old  enough  to  stand  watch  for  himself." 

"But,  Mr.  Fletcher,  I  am  very  delicate,"  pro 
tested  Lawrence  Peabody.  "  I  must  have  my 
regular  sleep,  or  I  shall  be  sick." 

"  We  must  take  our  chances  of  that,  Mr.  Peabody." 

"  I  shall  be  very  likely  to  go  to  sleep  on 
my  post." 

"  I  wouldn't  advise  you  to,"  said  Fletcher, 
seriously.  "  It  might  be  dangerous." 

"Dangerous!"   ejaculated   Peabody,   nervously. 

"Precisely.  If  a  lurking  Indian  should  surprise 
you,  you  might  wake  up  to  find  yourself  scalped.'' 

"Good   gracious!"  exclaimed  the   Bostonian,  his 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    TH.K   PLAIXS.  215 

teeth  chattering,  for  he  was  not  of  the  stuff  of 
which  heroes  are  made.  "  Do  3*011  —  think  there 
is  any  danger  of  that?" 

"Considerable,   if  you   neglect  your   duty." 
"But  perhaps   I   can't  help   falling   asleep." 
"Mr.    Peabody,"   said    Fletcher,    sternly,    "you 
must    keep    awake.     Not    only    your    own    safety, 
but  that    of   the   whole    camp,    may   depend    upon 
3*our  vigilance.     If  you    choose  to  risk    your  own 
life,  I  don't  complain  of  that,   but  you   shall  not 
imperil  ours.    I  therefore   give  you  notice,  that  if 
you  fall   asleep    on    guard    you   will    be   drummed 
out  of  camp,  and  left  to   shift  for  yourself." 

' '  But  I  couldn't  find  my  way  on  the  prairie," 
said  Peabody,  very  much  alarmed. 

"  You  had  better  think  of  that  when  you  are 
tempted  to  close  your  ej-es,  Mr.  Peabody,"  replied 
Fletcher. 

Lawrence  Peabody  walked  off,  feeling  very  much 
disconcerted.  Fervently  he  wished  himself  back 
in  Boston,  where  there  are  no  Indians,  and  a 
man  might  sleep  from  one  week's  end  to  another 
without  an}*  danger  of  losing  his  scalp. 


216  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"What's  the  matter,  Mr.  Peabody?"  asked 
Tom,  observing  his  melancholy  appearance. 

"I  don't  think  I  shall  ever  live  to  see  Cali 
fornia,"  answered  Mr.  Peabody,  plaintively. 

"Why,  what's  the  matter  now?"  asked  Tom, 
checking  an  inclination  to  laugh;  "are  you  sick?" 

"I  don't  feel  very  well,  Tom.  I'm  very  delicate, 
and  this  journey  is  almost  too  much  for  my  strength." 

"  Oh,  cheer  up,  Mr.  Peabody  !  Think  of  the  gold 
that  awaits  3*011  at  the  end  of  the  journey." 

"It's  all  that  keeps  me  up,  I  do  assure  you. 
But  I  am  afraid  I  shall  never  live  to  get  there," 
said  Peabody,  with  a  groan. 

"Don't  think  of  such  things,  Mr.  Peabody. 
Of  course  none  of  us  is  sure  of  living,  but  the 
chances  are,  that  we  shall  reach  California  in 
health,  make  our  fortunes,  and  go  home  rich. 
At  any  rate,  that's  what  I  am  looking  forward  to." 

"I  wouldn't  mind  so  much  but  for  one  thing, 
Tom." 

"What   is   that?" 

"  Fletcher  insists  that  I  shall  take  my  turn  in 
standing  guard.  If  I  were  not  so  delicate  I 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  217 

wouldn't  mind  ;  but  I  know  I  can't  stand  it.  I'll 
give  you  two  dollars  to  take  my  place,  every 
time  my  turn  comes.'' 

"I  am  willing,  if  Mr.  Fletcher  is,"  said  Tom, 
who  was  by  no  means  averse  to  making  a  little 
extra  money. 

"  But  he  isn't.  I  proposed  it  to  him,  for  I 
was  sure  I  could  arrange  with  you ;  but  he  re 
fused." 

"  I  suppose,"  said  Tom,  slyly,  "  he  thought  I 
couldn't  fill  your  place.  You  are  a  brave,  resolute 
man,  and  I  am  only  a  boy." 

"Tom  —  I  —  I  don't  mind  telling  you;  but  I  am 
afraid  I  am  not  brave." 

"  Oh,  nonsense,  Mr.  Peabody ;  that  is  only  your 
modesty." 

"But  I  assure  you,"  said  the  young  Bostonian, 
earnestly,  "I  am  speaking  the  truth.  'If  I  should 
see  an  Indian  crawling  near  the  camp  I'm  really 
afraid  I  should  femW" 

"You  won't  know  how  brave  you  are  till  you 
are  put  to  the  test." 

"But  do  you  think  there   is  any  chance   of  my 


218  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

being  put  to  the  test?  Do  you  think  there  are 
any  Indians  near?"  asked  Lawrence  Peabody, 
wiping  the  damp  perspiration  from  his  brow. 

"Of  course  there  must  be,"  said  Tom.  "We  are 
passing  through  their  hunting-grounds,  you  know." 

"Why  did  I  ever  leave  Boston?"  said  Mr. 
Peabody,  sadly. 

"You  came,  as  I  did,  to  make  your  fortune, 
Mr.  Peabody." 

"I'm  afraid  I  can't  keep  awake,  Tom;  Mr. 
Fletcher  tells  me,  if  I  don't,  that  he  will  turn  me 
adrift  on  the  prairie.  Isn't  that  hard?" 

"I  am  afraid  it  is  a  necessary  regulation.  But 
you  won't  fall  asleep.  Your  turn  will  only  come 
about  once  in  two  weeks,  and  that  isn't  much." 

"The  nights   will   seem  very  long." 

"I  don't  think  so.  I  think  it'll  be  fun,  for  my 
part." 

"But  suppose  —  when  you  are  watching  —  you 
should  all  at  once  see  an  Indian,  Tom?"  said 
Peabody,  with  a  shiver. 

"I  think  it  would  be  rather  unlucky  for  the 
Indian,"  said  Tom,  coolly. 


TRIP  ACROSS    THE  PLAINS.  219 

"You  arc  a  strange  boy,  Tom,"  said  Mr. 
Peabody. 

"What  makes   you   think   so?" 

"  You  don't  seem  to  care  anything  about  the 
danger  of  being  scalped." 

"I  don't  believe  I  should  like  being  scalped 
any  more  than  you  do." 

"You  might  have  got  off  from  standing  watch; 
but  you  asked  to  be  allowed  to." 

"That  is  quite  true,  Mr.  Peabody.  I  want  to 
meet  my  fair  share  of  danger  and  fatigue." 

"  You  can  stand  it,  for  you  are  strong  and 
tough.  You  have  not  my  delicacy  of  constitution." 

"Perhaps  that's   it,"   said   Tom,   laughing. 

""Would  }*ou  mind  speaking  to  Fletcher,  and 
telling  him  you  are  willing  to  take  my  place?" 

"  I  will  do  it,  if  }'ou  wish  me  to,  Mr.  Peabod}'." 

"  Thank  you,  Tom ;  you  are  a  true  friend ; " 
and  Mr.  Peabody  wrung  the  hand  of  his  young 
companion. 

Tom  was  as  good  as  his  word.  He  spoke  to 
Fletcher  on  the  subject ;  but  the  leader  of  the 
expedition  was  obdurate. 


220  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"  Can't  consent,  my  boy,"  he  said.  "  It  is 
enough  for  you.  to  take  your  turn.  That  j^oung 
dandy  from  Boston  needs  some  discipline  to  make 
a  man  of  him.  He  will  never  do  anything  in  a 
country  like  California  unless  he  has  more  grit 
than  he  shows  at  present.  I  shall  do  him  a  favor 
by  not  excusing  him." 

Tom  reported  the  answer  to  Peabody,  who 
groaned  in  spirit,  and  nervously  waited  for  the 
night  when  he  was  to  stand  watch. 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  221 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

A     SAD    SIGHT. 

A  DAY  later,  while  the  wagon  train  was  slowly 
winding  through  a  mountain  defile,  they  encoun 
tered  a  sight  which  made  even  the  stout-hearted 
leader  look  grave.  Stretched  out  stiff  and  stark 
were  two  figures,  cold  in  death.  They  were  men 
of  middle  age  apparently.  From  each  the  scalp 
had  been  removed,  thus  betraying  that  the  mur 
derers  were  Indians. 

"  I  should  like  to  come  across  the  red  devils 
who  did  this,"  said  Fletcher. 

"What  would  }~ou  do  with  them?"  asked  Fer 
guson. 

"  Shoot  them  down  like  dogs,  or  if  I  could 
take  them  captive  they  should  dangle  upon  the 
boughs  of  yonder  tree." 

"I  hope  I  shall  be  ready  to  die  when  my 
time  comes,"  said  Ferguson ;  u  but  I  want  it  to  be 


222  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR. 

•i? 

in  a  Christian  bed,  and  not  at  the  hands  of  a 
dirty  savage." 

Just  then  Lawrence  Peabody  came  up.  He  had 
been  lagging  in  the  rear,  as  usual. 

"What  have  you  found?"  he  inquired,  not  see 
ing  the  bodies  at  first,  on  account  of  the  party 
surrounding  them. 

"Come  here,  and  see  for  yourself,  Peabody," 
said  one  of  the  company. 

Lawrence  Peabod}T  peered  at  the  dead  men  (he 
was  rather  near-sighted)  and  turned  very  pale. 

"Is   it  the   Indians?"   he    faltered. 

"  Yes,  it's  those  devils.  You  can  tell  their  work 
when  you  see  it.  Don't  you  see  that  they  are 
scalped  ?  " 

"  I  believe  I  shall  faint,"  said  Peabod}T,  his 
face  becoming  of  a  greenish  hue.  "  Tom,  let  me 
lean  on  your  shoulder.  Do  —  do  you  think  it  has 
been  done  lately  ? " 

"Yesterday,  probably,"  said  Ferguson.  "The 
bodies  look  fresh." 

"  Then  the  Indians  that  did  it  must  be  near 
here?" 


TOAfS   TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  223 

"Probably.'* 

"These  men  were  either  travelling  by  them 
selves,  or  had  stra}red  away  from  their  party," 
said  Fletcher.  "  It  shows  how  necessary  it  is  for 
us  to  keep  together.  In  union  there  is  strength." 

The  bodies  were  examined.  In  the  pocket  of 
one  was  found  a  letter  addressed  to  James  Col 
lins,  dated  at  some  town  in  Maine.  The  writer 
appeared  to  be  his  wife.  She  spoke  of  longing 
for  the  time  when  he  should  return  with  money 
enough  to  redeem  their  farm  from  a  heavy  mortgage. 

"  Poor  woman !  "  said  Ferguson.  "  She  will  wait 
for  her  husband  in  vain.  The  mortgage  will  never 
be  paid  through  his  exertions." 

Tom  looked  sober,  as  he  glanced  compassion 
ately  at  the  poor  emigrant. 

"  He  came  on  the  same  errand  that  I  did,"  he 
suid.  "  I  hope  my  journey  will  have  a  happier 
ending." 

"Always  hope  for  the  best,  Tom,"  said  his 
Scotch  friend.  "You  will  live  happier  while  }~ou 
do  live,  and,  if  the  worst  comes,  it  will  be  time 
enough  to  submit  to  it  when  you  must." 


224  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"  That   is   good  philosophy,   Mr.    Ferguson." 

"  Indeed   it   is,   my  lad.     Don't  borrow   trouble." 

"  We  must  bury  these  poor  men,"  said  Fletcher. 
"  We  can't  leave  them  out  here,  possibly  to  be 
devoured  by  wild  beasts.  Who  will  volunteer  for 
the  service?" 

"Come,  Peabody,"  said  John  Miles,  a  broad- 
shouldered  giant,  who  had  a  good-natured  con 
tempt  for  the  young  man  from  Boston.  "  Suppose 
you  and  I  volunteer." 

Lawrence  Peabody  shrank  back  in  dismay  at 
the  unwelcome  proposition. 

"I  couldn't  do  it,"  he  said,  shivering.  "  I  never 
touched  a  dead  body  in  my  life.  I  am  so  del 
icate  that  I  couldn't  do  it,  I  assure  you." 

"  It's  lucky  we  are  not  all  delicate,"  said  Miles, 
"  or  the  poor  fellows  would  be  left  unburied. 
I  suppose  if  anything  happens  to  you,  Peabody, 
you  will  expect  us  to  bury  you?" 

4 'Oh,  don't  mention   such   a -thing,   Mr.    Miles," 

entreated  Peabod}7,  showing   symptoms  of  becoming 

» 
hysterical.     "  I   really   can't   bear   it." 

"It's  my  belief  that  nature  has  made  a  mistake, 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  225 

and  Peabody  was  meant  for  a  woman,"  said  Miles, 
shrugging   his   shoulders. 

"I  will  assist  you,  my  friend,"  said  the  Scotch 
man.  "It's  all  that  remains  for  us  to  do  for  the 
poor  fellows." 

"Not  quite  all,"  said  Tom.  "Somebody  ought 
to  write  to  the  poor  wife.  We  have  her  address 
in  the  letter  you  took  from  the  pocket." 

"Well  thought  of,  my  lad,"  said  Fletcher. 
"Will  you  undertake  it?" 

"If  3Tou  think  I  can  do  it  properly,"  said  Tom, 
modestly. 

"It'll  be  grievous  news,  whoever  writes  it.  You 
can  do  it  as  well  as  another." 

In  due  time  Mrs.  Collins  received  a  letter 
revealing  the  sad  fate  of  her  husband,  accompanied 
with  a  few  simple  words  of  sympathy. 

Over  the  grave  a  rude  cross  was  planted,  fash 
ioned  of  two  boards,  with  the  name  of  James 
Collins,  cut  out  with  a  jackknife  upon  them.  This 
inscription  was  the  work  of  Miles. 

"  Somebody  may  see  it  who  knows  Collins,"  he 
said. 

15 


226  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OJZ, 

It  happened  that,  on  the  second  night  after  the 
discovery  of  Collins  and  his  unfortunate  compan 
ion,  Lawrence  Peabody's  turn  came  to  stand  watch. 
He  was  very  uneasy  and  nervous  through  the  day. 
In  the  hope  of  escaping  the  ordeal  he  so  much 
dreaded  he  bound  a  handkerchief  round  his  head. 

"What's  the  matter,  Mr.  Peabody?"  asked 
Fletcher. 

"  I've  got  a  fearful  headache,"  groaned  Peabody. 
"  It  seems  to  me  as  if  it  would  split  open." 

"Let   me   feel   of  it,"   said   Fletcher. 

"It  doesn't  feel  hot;  it  doesn't  throb,"  he  said. 

"It  aches  terribly,"  said  Peabody.  "I'm  very 
subject  to  headache.  It  is  the  effect  of  a  delicate 
constitution." 

"  The  fellow  is  shamming,"  said  Fletcher  to 
himself;  and  he  felt  disgust  rather  than  sympathy. 

"  It's  a  little  curious,  Mr.  Peabody,  that  this 
headache  should  not  come  upon  }^ou  till  the  day 
you  are  to  stand  on  watch,"  remarked  the  leader, 
with  a  sarcasm  which  even  the  young  man  from 
Boston  detected. 

"  Yes,    it's    strange,"    he   admitted,    "  and   very 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  227 

unlucky,  for  of  course  you  won't  expect  a  sick 
man  to  watch." 

' '  You  don't  look  at  it  in  the  right  light,  Mr. 
Peabody.  I  regard  it  as  rather  lucky  than  other 
wise." 

Lawrence  Peabody  stared. 

"I  don't  understand  you,  Mr.  Fletcher,"  he 
said. 

"  If  you  have  the  headache,  it  will  prevent  you 
from  going  to  sleep,  and  you  remember  you  ex 
pressed  yourself  as  afraid  that  you  might.  If 
you  were  quite  well,  I  might  feel  rather  afraid 
of  leaving  the  camp  in  your  charge.  Now,  I  am 
sure  you  won't  fall  asleep." 

Mr.  Peabody  listened  in  dismay.  The  very  plan 
to  which  he  had  resorted  in  the  hope  of  evading 
duty  was  likely  to  fasten  that  duty  upon  him. 

u  He'll  be  well  before  night,"  thought  Fletcher, 
shrewdly ;  and  he  privately  imparted  the  joke  to 
the  rest  of  the  party.  The  result  was  that  Mr. 
Peabody  became  an  object  of  general  attention. 

In  half  an  hour  the  young  man  from  Boston 
removed  his  handkerchief  from  his  head. 


228  THE  JOUNO  ADVENTURER;  OR, 

"  Are  you  feeling  better,  Mr.  Peabody?"  asked 
Tom. 

"  Very   much  better,"   said  Peabody. 

"Your  headache  seems   to  pass  off  suddenly." 

"Yes,  it  always  does,"  said  the  young  Bos- 
tonian.  "I  am  like  mother  in  that.  She  had  a 
delicate  constitution,  just  like  mine.  One  minute 
she  would  have  a  headache  as  if  her  head  would 
split  open,  and  half  an  hour  afterwards  she 
would  feel  as  well  as  usual." 

"You  are  very  fortunate.  I  was  afraid  your 
headache  would  make  it  uncomfortable  for  you 
to  watch  to-night." 

"  Yes,  it  would;  but,  as  the  captain  said,  it 
would  have  kept  me  awake.  Now  I  don't  believe 
I  can  keep  from  sleeping  on  my  post." 

"Why  don't  you   tell  Fletcher   so?" 

"Won't  you  tell  him,  Tom?  He  might  pay 
more  attention  to  it  if  you  told  him." 

"No,  Mr.  Peabody.  You  are  certainly  the 
most  suitable  person  to  speak  to  hirn.  What 
makes  you  think  he  would  pay  more  attention  to 
me,  who  am  only  a  boy?" 


TRIP   ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  229 

"  He   seems  to   like   you,   Tom." 

"I  hope  he  does,  but  realty,  Mr.  Peabody,  you 
must  attend  to  your  own  business." 

Fletcher  was  at  the  head  of  the  train,  walking 
beside  the  first  wagon.  Hearing  hurried  steps,  he 
turned,  and  saw  Mr.  Lawrence  Peabody,  panting  for 
breath. 

"Have  you  got  over  your  headache,  Mr.  Pea- 
body?"  he  asked,  with  a  quiet  smile. 

"Yes,   Mr.    Fletcher,    it's    all   gone." 

UI   am   glad   to   hear   it." 

"  It  would  have  kept  me  awake  to-night,  as  you 
remarked,"  said  Peabody.  "  Now,  I  am  really 
afraid  that  I  shall  fall  asleep." 

4 'That   would   be  bad   for  you." 

"Why   so?" 

*'  You  remember  those  two  poor  fellows  whom 
we  found  scalped,  the  other  day?" 

u  I  shall  never  forget  them,"  said  Lawrence 
Peabody,  with  a  shudder. 

* '  Better  think  of  them  to-night.  If  you  go  to 
sleep  on  watch,  those  very  Indians  may  serve  you 
in  the  same  way." 


230  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    0#, 

"Oh,  good  gracious!"  ejaculated  Peabody,  turn 
ing  pale. 

"They  or  some  of  their  tribe  are,  no  doubt, 
near  at  hand." 

"Don't  you  think  you  could  excuse  me,  Mr. 
Fletcher?"  stammered  Peabody,  panic-stricken. 

"  No !  "  thundered  Fletcher,  so  sternly  that  the 
unhappy  Bostonian  shrank  back  in  dismay. 

For  the  credit  of  Boston,  it  may  be  said  that 
John  Miles  —  a  broad-shouldered  young  giant,  who 
did  not  know  what  fear  was  —  more  honorably 
represented  the  same  city. 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  231 


CHAPTER   XXV. 

A  NIGHT  PANIC. 

LAWRENCE  PEABODY'S  feelings  when  night  ap 
proached  were  not  unlike  those  of  a  prisoner 
under  sentence  of  death.  He  was  timid,  nervous, 
and  gifted  with  a  lively  imagination.  His  fears 
were  heightened  by  the  sad  spectacle  that  he  had 
recently  witnessed.  His  depression  was  apparent 
to  all ;  but  I  regret  to  say  that  it  inspired  more 
amusement  than  sympathy.  Men  winked  at  each 
other  as  they  saw  him  pass ;  and,  with  the 
exception  of  Tom  and  his  Scotch  friend,  proba 
bly  nobody  pitied  the  poor  fellow. 

"He's  a  poor  creature,  Tom,"  said  Donald 
Ferguson;  "but  I  pity  him.  We  wouldn't  mind 
watching  to-night ;  but  I  doubt  it's  a  terrible 
thing  to  him." 

"I  would  volunteer  in  his  place,  but  Mr. 
Fletcher  won't  agree  to  it,"  said  Tom. 


232  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"  He  is  right.  The  young  man  must  take  his 
turn.  He  won't  dread  it  so  much  a  second 
time." 

"  What  would  the  poor  fellow  do  if  he  should 
see  an  Indian  ? " 

"  Faint,   likely ;   but  that   is   not  probable." 

' '  Mr.  Fletcher  thinks  there  are  some  not  far 
off." 

"  They  don't  attack  in  the  night,  so  I  hear." 

"  That  seems  strange  to  me.  I  should  think 
the  night  would  be  most  favorable  for  them. 

"  It's  their  way.  Perhaps  they  have  some 
superstition  that  hinders." 

"  I  am  glad  of  it,  at  any  rate.  I  can  sleep 
with  greater  comfort." 

The  rest  were  not  as  considerate  as  Tom  and 
Ferguson.  They  tried,  indeed,  to  excite  still 
further  the  fears  of  the  young  Bostonian. 

"  Peabody,"  said  Miles,  "have  you  made  your 
will?" 

"  No  ; "  answered  Peabody,  nervously.  "  Why 
should  I?" 

"Oh,  I  was  thinking  that   if  anything   happened 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  233 

to  you  to-night  you  might  like  to  say  how  your 
things  are  to  be  disposed  of.  You've  got  a  gold 
watch,  haven't  you?" 

"Yes,"   said  Peabody,   nervously. 

"  And  a  little   money,    I   suppose." 

"  Not  very  much,   Mr.    Miles." 

44  No  matter  about  that.  Of  course  if  you  are 
killed  you  won't  have  occasion  for  it,"  said  Miles, 
in  a  matter-of-fact  tone. 

"I  wish  j'ou  wouldn't  talk  that  way,"  said 
Peabody,  irritably.  "  It  makes  me  nervous." 

" What's  the  use  of  being  nervous?  It  won't 
do  any  good." 

"  Do  you  really  think,  Mr.  Miles,  there  is 
much  danger?"  faltered  Peabody. 

"  Of  course  there  is  danger.  But  the  post  of 
danger  is  the  post  of  honor.  Now,  Peabody,  I 
want  to  give  }TOU  a  piece  of  advice.  If  you  spy 
one  of  those  red  devils  crouching  in  the  grass, 
don't  stop  to  parley,  but  up  with  your  revolver, 
and  let  him  have  it  in  the  head.  If  you  can't 
hit  him  in  the  head,  hit  him  where  you  can." 

"Wouldn't  it  be  better,"  suggested  Peabody,  in 


234  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

a  tremulous  voice,  "  to  wake  you  up,  or  Mr. 
Fletcher?" 

"  While  you  were  doing  it  the  savage  would 
make  mince-meat  of  you.  No,  Peabody,  fire  at 
once.  This  would  wake  us  all  up,  and  if  you 
didn't  kill  the  reptile  we  would  do  it  for  you." 

"Perhaps  he  would  see  me  first,"  suggested 
Peabody,  in  a  troubled  tone. 

"You  mustn't  let  him.  You  must  have  your 
eyes  all  about  you.  You  are  not  near-sighted, 
are  you  ? " 

"I  believe  I  am — a  little,"  said  Peabody, 
eagerly,  thinking  that  this  might  be  esteemed  a 
disqualification  for  the  position  he  dreaded. 

u  Oh,  well,  I  guess  it  won't  make  any  differ 
ence,  only  you  will  need  to  be  more  vigilant." 

"  I  wish  I  was  blind ;  just  for  to-night," 
thought  Peabody  to  himself,  with  an  inward  sigh. 
"  Then  they  would  have  to  excuse  me." 

John  Miles  overtook  Fletcher,  who  was  with  the 
head  wagon 

"Capt.  Fletcher,"  he  said,  "  I  am  afraid  Pea- 
body  will  make  a  mighty  poor  watch." 


TOAfS   TRIP  ACROSS    THE  PLAINS.  235 

u  Just   my   opinion." 

44  He  is  more  timid  than  tbe  average  of  women. 
I've  got  a  sister  at  home  that  has  ten  times  his 
courage.  If  she  hadn't  I  wouldn't  own  the  rela 
tionship." 

"I    am   not  willing   to   excuse   him.'* 

44  Of  course  not;  but  I'll  tell  you  what  I'll  do. 
I'll  keep  an  eye  open  myself,  so  that  we  shan't 
wholly  depend  on  him." 

4 'If  you  are  willing  to  do  it,  Miles,  we  shall 
all  be  indebted  to  you.  Don't  let  him  know  it, 
though." 

4'  I  don't  mean  to.  He  shall  suppose  he  is 
the  only  man  awake  in  camp." 

At  a  comparatively  early  hour  the  party  stretched 
themselves  out  upon  the  ground,  inviting  sleep. 
Generally  they  did  not  have  to  wait  long.  The 
day's  march  brought  with  it  considerable  phj'sical 
fatigue.  Even  those  who  were  light  sleepers  at 
home  slept  well  on  the  trip  across  the  plains. 
Few  or  none  remained  awake  half  an  hour  after 
lying  down.  So  Peabody  knew  that  he  would 
soon  be  practically  alone. 


236  THE    YOUNG    ADVENTURER;    OR, 

With  a  heavy  heart  he  began  to  pace  slowly 
forward  and  back.  He  came  to  where  Tom  lay. 

"Tom  —  Tom  Nelson,"  he  called,  in  a  low 
voice. 

"What's  the  matter?"  asked  Tom,  in  a  sleepy 
tone. 

"Are  you   asleep?" 

"No;   but  I   soon   shall   be." 

' '  Won't  you  try  to  keep  awake  a  little  while  ? 
It  won't  seem  so  lonesome." 

"Sorry  I^an't  accommodate  3' on,  Mr.  Peabody ; 
but  I'm  awfully  tired  and  sleepy." 

"Who's  that  talking  there?"  drowsily  demanded 
the  nearest  emigrant.  "  Can't  you  keep  quiet,  and 
let  a  fellow  sleep?" 

"  Good-night,  Mr.  Peabody,"  said  Tom,  by  way 
of  putting  an  end  to  the  conversation. 

"  Good-night,"  returned  the  sentinel,  disconso 
lately.  1 

The  hours  passed  on,  and  Lawrence  Peabody 
maintained  his  watch.  He  was  in  no  danger  of 
going  to  sleep,  feeling  too  timid  and  nervous.  He 
began  to  feel  a  little  more  comfortable. 


TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  237 

He  could  see  nothing  suspicious,  and  hear  noth 
ing  except  the  deep  Jbreatking  of  his  sleeping 
comrades. 

"It  is  not  so  bad  as  I  expected,"  he  muttered 
to  himself. 

He  began  to  feel  a  little  self-complacent,  and 
to  reflect  that  he  had  underrated  his  own  courage. 
He  privately  reflected  that  he  was  doing  as 
well  as  any  of  his  predecessors  in  duty.  He 
began  to  think  that  after  he  had  got  back  to 
Boston  with  a  fortune,  gained  in  California,  he 
could  impress  his  friends  with  a  narrative  of  his 
night-watch  on  the  distant  prairies.  But  his  cour 
age  had  not  yet  been  tested. 

He  took  out  his  watch  to  see  how  time  was 
passing. 

It  pointed   to   twelve   o'clock. 

Why  there  should  be  anything  more  alarming 
in  twelve  o'clock  than  in  any  other  hour  I  can't 
pretend  to  say,  but  the  fact  none  will  question. 
Mr.  Peabody  felt  a  nervous  thrill  when  his  eyes 
rested,  on  the  dial.  He  looked  about  him,  and 
the  darkness  seemed  blacker  and  more  awe-in- 


238  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR: 

spiring  than  ever,  now  that  he  knew  it  to  be 
midnight. 

"  Will  it  ever  be  morning?"  he  groaned.  "  Four 
long  hours  at  least  before  there  will  be  light. 
I  don't  know  how  I  am  going  to  stand  it." 

Now,  there  was  attached  to  the  wagon-train  one 
of  those  universally  despised  but  useful  animals, 
a  donkey,  the  private  property  of  a  man  from 
Iowa,  who  expected  to  make  it  of  service  in 
California.  The  animal  was  tethered  near  the 
camp,  and  was  generally  quiet.  But  to-night  he 
was  wakeful,  and  managed  about  midnight  to 
slip  his  tether,  and  wandered  off.  Peabod}^  did 
not  observe  his  escape.  His  vigilance  was  some 
what  relaxed,  and  with  his  head  down  he  gave 
way  to  mournful  reflection.  Suddenly  the  donkey, 
who  was  now  but  a  few  rods  distant,  uplifted 
his  voice  in  a  roar  which  the  night  stillness 
made  louder  than  usual.  It  was  too  much  for 
the  overwrought  nerves  of  the  sentinel.  He  gave 
a  shriek  of  terror,  fired  wildly  in  the  air,  and 
sank  fainting  to  the  ground.  Of  course  the 
camp  was  aroused.  Men  jumped  to  their  feet, 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS   THE   PLAINS.  239 

and,  rubbing  their  eyes,  gazed  around  them  in 
bewilderment. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  truth  dawned 
upon  them.  There  lay  the  sentinel,  insensible 
from  fright,  his  discharged  weapon  at  his  feet, 
and  the  almost  equally  terrified  donkey  was  in 
active  flight,  making  the  air  vocal  with  his  pecu 
liar  cries. 

There  was  a  great  shout  of  laughter,  in  the 
midst  of  which  Peabody  recovered  consciousness. 

"Where  am  I?"  he  asked,  looking  about  him 
wildly,  and  he  instinctively  felt  for  his  scalp, 
which  he  was  relieved  to  find  still  in  its 
place. 

"What's  the  matter?"  asked  the  leader, 
uWhat  made  you  fire?" 

"I  —  I  thought  it  was  the  Indians,"  faltered  Pea- 
body.  "  I  thought  I  heard  their  horrid  war-whoop." 

"Not  very  complimentary  to  the  Indians  to 
compare  them  with  donkeys,"  said  Miles. 

Lawrence  Peabody  was  excused  from  duty  for 
the  remainder  of  the  night,  his  place  being 
taken  by  Miles  and  Tom  in  turn. 


240  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

It  was  a  long  time  before  he  heard  the  last 
of  his  ridiculous  panic,  but  he  was  not  sensi 
tive  as  to  his  reputation  for  courage,  and  he 
bore  it,  on  the  whole,  pretty  well. 


RRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  241 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 

MR.   PEABODY  IS   WORSTED   BY  A   DONKEY. 

THE  traveller  of  to-day  who  is  whirled  across 
the  continent  in  six  days  and  a  half  has  little 
conception  of  what  the  overland  journey  was  in 
the  year  1850.  Week  after  week  and  month  after 
month  slipped  away  between  the  start  and  the 
arrival  on  the  western  slope  of  the  Sierra  Nevadas. 
Delicate  women  and  children  of  tender  years  devel 
oped  extraordinary  endurance,  and  showed  remark 
able  fortitude  on  the  wearisome  trip.  But  the 
hope  of  bettering  their  fortunes  was  the  magnet 
that  drew  them  steadily  on,  day  after  day,  in 
their  march  across  the  plains. 

Tom  was  at  an  age  when  adventure  has  a 
charm.  His  feet  were  often  weary ;  but  he  never 
tired  of  the  journey.  Every  morning  found  him 
active,  alert,  and  ready  for  the  toilsome  walk. 
He  was,  indeed,  impatient  for  the  time  to  come 
16 


242  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OJZ, 

when  he  could  be  earning  something  to  pay  up 
his  debt  to  Squire  Hudson,  and  so  relieve  his 
father  from  the  additional  burden  assumed  for  his 
sake.  Otherwise  he  was  quite  content  to  plod 
on,  seeing  something  new  every  day. 

"You're  always  cheerful,  Tom,  my  lad,"  said 
Ferguson,  one  day. 

"  Yes,"  said  Tom.  "I  am  having  a  good 
time." 

"  Youth  is  aye  the  time  for  enjoyment.  When 
I  was  a  lad  like  you  I  might  have  been  the 
same." 

"Don't  you  enjoy  the  journey,  Mr.  Ferguson?" 
asked  Tom. 

"  I'm  getting  tired  of  it,  Tom.  I  look  upon 
it  as  a  means  to  an  end.  I'm  in  a  hurry  to  reach 
the  mines." 

"  So   am  I,    Mr.    Ferguson,    for  that   matter." 

"  And  I  can't  help  thinking,  what  if  they  don't 
turn  out  as  well  as  we  expect?  Then  there'll  be 
months  lost,  besides  a  good  bit  of  money," 
replied  Ferguson. 

"  Oh,  I'm  sure   there   is    plenty  of  gold,  and  we 


TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  243 

shall  get  our  share,"  said  Tom,  confidently;  "that 
is,  if  we  have  our  health." 

"  I  hope  it'll  be  as  you  say,  my  lad.  Indeed, 
I  think  you  are  right.  You  have  taught  me  a 
lesson." 

"Have  I,   Mr.  Ferguson?    What  is  it?" 

"Always  to  look  on  the  bright  side.  It  is  a 
lesson  worth  learning.  It  makes  a  man  feel  hap 
pier,  and  often  gives  courage  to  press  on  to  the 
accomplishment  of  his  purpose." 

"I   suppose  it  is   natural  to  me,"   said  Tom. 

"It  is  a  happy  gift.  It  is  a  pity  that  poor 
creature  from  Boston  hadn't  it." 

Lawrence  Peabody  was  approaching,  and  this 
no  doubt  led  to  the  allusion.  He  was  limping 
along,  looking  decidedly  down  in  the  mouth,  which, 
indeed,  was  not  unusual. 

"What  is  the  matter  with  you,  Mr.  Peabody?" 
asked  Tom. 

"  I'm  almost  gone,"  groaned  Peabody.  "  My 
strength  is  exhausted,  and,  besides,  I've  got  a 
terrible  corn  on  my  left  foot." 

"  How  long  has   that  been  ? " 


244  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;    Ofl, 

"For  two  or  three  days.  It's  torture  for  me 
to  walk.  I  don't  know  but  you'll  have  to  leave 
me  here  on  the  prairie  to  perish." 

"Not  so  bad  as  that,  Mr.  Peabody,  I  hope. 
Perhaps  Mr.  Chapman  will  lend  you  his  donkey 
to  ride  upon." 

The  owner  of  the  donkey  was  within  hearing 
distance,  and  at  oncex  expressed  a  willingness  to 
lend  his  animal  to  Mr.  Peabody. 

"That  will  be  better  than  perishing  on  the 
prairies,"  said  Tom,  cheerfully. 

"  I  am  not  much  used  to  riding,"  said  Peabody, 
cautiously. 

"  He  won't  run  away  with  you,  Peabody,"  said 
the  owner.  "  He's  too  lazy." 

Lawrence  Peabody  was  already  aware  of  this 
fact,  and  it  gave  him  courage  to  accept  the 
offered  help.  He  mounted  Solomon,  —  as  the  don 
key  was  called,  for  some  unknown  reason,  —  and 
for  a  time  enjoyed  the  relief  from  the  toil  of 
walking.  He  became  quite  cheerful,  and  was 
disposed  to  congratulate  himself  upon  his  success, 
when  an  unfortunate  fit  of  obstinacy  came  over 


TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  245 

Solomon.  It  dawned  upon  the  sagacious  animal 
that  it  would  be  much  easier  to  travel  without 
a  load,  and,  turning  his  head,  he  looked  thought 
fully  at  his  rider. 

"  Get  up,  Solomon!"  exclaimed  Peabody,  strik 
ing  the  animal  on  the  haunch. 

Solomon  felt  that  this  was  taking  a  personal 
liberty  and  he  stood  stock-still,  his  face  expressive 
of  obstinacy. 

"Why  don't  he  go  on?"  asked  Peabody,  per 
plexed. 

"He's  stopping  to  rest,"  said  Tom.  "I  am 
afraid  he  is  lazy." 

"  Go  along !  "  exclaimed  Peabody,  again  using 
his  whip. 

But  the   animal    did    not    budge. 

"  This  is  really  very  provoking,"  murmured  the 
rider.  "What  shall  I  do?" 

"Don't  give  up  to  him,"  advised  one  of  the 
company.  "  Here,  let  me  whip  him." 

"  Thank  you ;  I   wish  you   would." 

It  was  an  unlucky  speech.  The  other  complied 
with  his  request,  and  delivered  his  blow  with 


246  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OJJ, 

such  emphasis  that  Solomon's  equanimity  was 
seriously  disturbed.  He  dashed  forward  with 
what  speed  he  could  command,  Mr.  Peabody 
holding  on,  in  a  sort  of  panic,  till  he  was  a 
hundred  yards  away.  Then  he  stopped  suddenly, 
lowering  his  head,  and  his  hapless  rider  was 
thrown  over  it,  landing  some  distance  in  advance. 
Solomon  looked  at  him  with  grim  humor, 
if  a  donkey  is  capable  of  such  a  feeling,  and, 
apparently  satisfied,  turned  and  walked  com 
placently  back  to  the  wagon  train. 

Several  of  the  company,  witnessing  the  accident, 
hurried  forward  to  Mr.  Peabody's  assistance. 
They  picked  him  up,  groaning  and  bewildered, 
but  not  much  hurt. 

"None  of  your  limbs  broken,"  said  Miles. 
"  I  guess  you'll  do." 

"  I'm  badly  shaken  up,"   moaned   Peabody. 

"  It  will  do  you  good,"  said   Miles,   bluntly. 

"You  had  better  try  it  yourself,  then,"  retorted 
Peabody,  with  unwonted  spirit. 

"Good  for  you!"  laughed  Miles.  "I  suspect 
you  are  not  dead  yet." 


TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  247 

"What  made  you  put  me  on  such  a  vicious 
beast?"  asked  Peabody  of  the  owner. 

"  Solomon  isn't  vicious ;  he's  only  lazy,"  said 
Chapman.  "  We  can't  blame  him  much." 

"I  think  he  ought  to  be  shot,"  said  Peabody, 
painfully  rising,  and  stretching  out  one  limb  after 
another  to  make  sure  that  none  was  broken. 

"You  seem  to  be  unluck}^,  Mr.  Peabody,"  said 
Tom. 

"I'm   always   unlucky,"   moaned   Peabody. 

"Will  you  ride  again,  Mr.  Peabody?"  asked 
Chapman.  "  I'll  catch  Solomon  for  you,  if  you 
like." 

"  Not  for  fifty  dollars !  "  exclaimed  Peabody, 
energetically.  "It  is  as  much  as  anybody's  life 
is  worth." 

"  If  you  will  make  me  the  same  offer,  I  won't 
refuse,  Mr.  Chapman,"  said  Tom. 

"You   can   mount  him,  if  you   like." 

Tom  waited  for  no  second  invitation.  He  ap 
proached  Solomon  cautiously,  vaulted  upon  his  back, 
and  the  animal,  disagreeably  surprised,  had  re 
course  to  the  same  tactics  which  had  proved  so 


248  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

successful  in  the  case  of  the  37oung  man  from 
Boston.  But  he  had  a  different  kind  of  a  rider 
to  deal  with.  Tom  had  been  accustomed  to  ride 
from  the  time  he  was  six  years  of  age,  and  he 
stuck  to  his  seat  in  spite  of  all  attempts  to  dis 
lodge  him.  So  far  from  feeling  alarmed,  he 
enjoj-ed  the  struggle. 

"  It's  no  go,  Solomon  !  "  he  said  gayly.  "  You've 
tackled  the  wrong  customer  this  time.  Better 
make  up  your  mind  to  go  as  I  want  you  to." 

Solomon  came  to  the  same  conclusion  after  a 
time.  He  had  tried  his  ordinary  tactics,  and  they 
had  proved  unavailing.  The  struggle  had  been 
witnessed  with  some  interest  by  the  other  mem 
bers  of  the  company. 

"  You  can  ride,  youngster ;  that's  a  fact,"  said 
the  owner  of  the  donkey.  "  I  didn't  say  anything, 
but  I  rather  expected  to  see  you  follow  Peabody." 

"I'm  used  to  riding,"  said  Tom,  modestly. 
"Mr.  Peabody  is  not." 

"Every  lad  ought  to  know  how  to  ride,"  said 
Ferguson.  "It's  a  deal  manlier  than  smoking  a 
cigar,  to  my  thinking."  Is^tUt  ( 


TRIP  ACROSS   THE   PLAINS.  249 

"  I  can  smoke  a  cigar,"  said  Peabody,  desirous 
probably  of  appearing  to  possess  one  manly  accom 
plishment. 

"You  will  hardly  find  it  as  useful  as  riding 
in  the  new  country  you  are  going  to,  Mr. 
Peabody,"  said  Ferguson,  drily. 

"  I'd  give  something  for  a  good  cigar  myself," 
said  John  Miles. 

"I  prefer  riding,"  said  Tom.  "I  never  smoked 
a  cigar  in  my  life." 

"You  are  just  as  well  off  without  it,  my  lad," 
said  the  Scotchman.  "It  don't  do  men  any  good, 
and  always  harms  boys."  "^  y^f  -  ^i 

Peabody  never  again  mounted  Solomon.  One 
trial  was  sufficient,  and,  foot-sore  and  lame  as  he 
was,  he  decidedly  preferred  to  walk. 


250  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;   OR, 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

THE   LOST  HORSE. 

DAT  followed  day,  and  every  sunset  found  the 
party  from  eighteen  to  twenty  miles  nearer  the 
land  of  gold.  They  had  not  yet  been  molested 
by  Indians,  though  on  more  than  one  occasion 
they  had  encountered  the  remains  of  those  whom 
the  savages  had  ruthlessly  slaughtered.  When 
they  witnessed  such  a  spectacle  they  were  moved 
less  by  fear  than  indignation. 

"I  didn't  think  I  should  ever  thirst  for  a 
fellow-creature's  blood,"  said  John  Miles ;  "  but 
if  I  could  meet  the  savages  that  did  this  bloody 
work,  I  would  shoot  them  down  like  dogs,  and 
sleep  all  the  more  soundly  for  it.  How  is  it 
with  you,  friend  Ferguson?" 

"I  am  inclined  to  agree  with  you,"  said  the 
Scotchman.  "  When  an  Indian  makes  himself  a 
beast  of  prey  he  should  be  treated  accordingly." 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  251 

4 'Are  there  any  Indians  in  California?"  asked 
Peabody,  nervously. 

"I  don't  think  we  shall  have  any  trouble  with 
them  there,  Mr.  Peabody,"  said  Ferguson. 

44  Then  I  wish  I  was  there  now.  It  must  be 
terrible  to  be  scalped;"  and  the  young  man  from 
Boston  shuddered. 

"I  don't  think  it  would  be  an  agreeable 
surgical  operation,"  said  Fletcher,  who  had  just 
come  up.  4'Let  us  hope  that  we  shall  not  be 
called  upon  to  undergo  it." 

The  next  morning,  when  breakfast  was  over, 
and  the  party  was  preparing  to  start,  an  unpleasant 
discovery  was  made.  One  of  the  most  valuable 
horses  was  missing.  He  must  have  slipped  his 
tether  during  the  night,  and  strayed  away;  as 
the}*  were  situated,  the  loss  of  such  an  animal 
would  be  felt. 

"He  can't  be  far  away,"  said  Fletcher.  "  Some 
of  us  must  go  after  him." 

44  Let  Peabody  mount  the  mustang,  and  undertake 
to  find  him,"  suggested  John  Miles,  winking  at 
the  captain. 


252  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;   OR, 

4 'Mr.  Peabody,"  said  Captain  Fletcher,  gravely, 
"will  you  undertake  to  recover  the  horse?  We 
shall  all  feel  under  great  obligations  to  you." 

"I  —  I  hope  you'll  excuse  me,  Captain  Fletcher," 
stammered  Peabody,  in  'great  alarm.  "I  know  I 
couldn't  find  the  horse.  I  shouldn't  know  where  to 
look." 

"This  is  where  he  got  away.  You  can  see  his 
trail  in  the  grass,"  said  Scott,  a  young  man  from 
Indiana.  "  All  you  will  have  to  do  will  be  to  follow 
the  trail,  Mr.  Peabody." 

*' I'm  very  near-sighted,"  pleaded  Peabody.  "I 
should  lose  my  way,  and  never  come  back." 

"Carrying  the  mustang  with  you?  TJiat  would 
be  a  loss  indeed,"  said  John  Miles,  pointedly.  "  On 
the  whole,  Captain  Fletcher,  we  had  better  excuse 
Mr.  Peabody." 

"  Mr.  Peabody  is  excused,"  said  the  leader. 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Peabody,  looking  relieved. 
"I  would  go,  I  am  sure,  if  I  could  do  any  good; 
but  I  know  I  couldn't." 

"  Who  will  volunteer?"  asked  Fletcher. 

"  Let  me  go,"  said  Tom,  eagerly. 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  253 

"  You  are  not  afraid  of  losing  jour  way,  Tom?" 

said  Miles. 

"  No  ;  or,  if  I  do,  I  will  find  it  again." 

"  That  boy  is  more  of  a  man  now  than  Peabody 

will    ever     be,"   said    Miles,   in    a    low    voice    to 

Ferguson.        '7^  -  Xlo-^  tit   P^M**  •***  -  df^f 

CIM&' 
"  That  he  is,"  said  the  Scotchman,  who  was  a  firm 

friend  of  our  young  hero.  "  There  is  the  making  of 
a  noble  man  in  him." 

"  I  believe  you." 

"  I  have  no  objection  to  your  going,  Tom,"  said 
Fletcher ;  "  but  it  is  better  that  you  should  have  com 
pany.  Who  will  go  with  the  boy  ?  " 

"  I,"  said  several,  among  them  John  Miles  and 
Henry  Scott. 

"You  may  go,  Scott,"  said  the  leader.  "I  have 
work  for  Miles  at  camp.  The  sooner  you  gfct  started 
the  better." 

"  All  right,  captain.     Come  along,  Tom." 

The  two  were  in  the  saddle  before  two  minutes 
had  passed,  and,  guided  by  the  trail,  struck  out 
upon  the  prairie. 

Scott  was  a  tall,  broad-shouldered  young  farmer, 


254  THE    YOUNQ  ADVENTURER;   OR, 

not  over  twenty-five,  strong  and  athletic,  and  re 
ported  the  best  runner,  wrestler,  and  vaulter  in 
the  party.  Tom  was  very  well  pleased  to  have  his 
company. 


TOM'S   TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  255 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

INDIAN   CASUISTRY. 

44 1  SHOULD  like  to  know  when  the  horse  got 
away,"  said  Scott,  as  he  and  Tom  rode  on  side  by 
side  ;  ' '  then  we  could  calculate  how  far  we  should 
have  to  go  before  overtaking  him." 

"  He  -wouldn't  be  likely  to  travel  all  the  time, 
would  he?"  asked  Tom. 

"  Probably  not.  He  may  have  gone  only  a  mile 
or  two.  Are  your  eyes  good  ?  " 

"  Pretty  good." 

"  Look  about,  then,  and  see  if  you  can  anywhere 
see  anything  of  the  rover." 

Scott  and  Tom,  drawing  rein,  looked  searchingly 
in  all  directions;  but  nowhere  was  the  lost  animal 
visible. 

"Somebody  may  have  found  him,"  suggested 
Tom. 


256  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    O/Z, 

"  That  may  be.  If  so,  we  have  a  harder  job 
before  us." 

The  prairie  was  not  quite  level,  but  was  what  is 
called  a  rolling  prairie,  and  this  limited  the  view. 
Otherwise  it  would  have  been  easy  for  a  person, 
whose  sight  was  keen,  to  have  distinguished  an 
object  as  large  as  a  horse  at  a  distance  of  many 
miles. 

"Are  you  sure  we  are  on  the  right  track,  Mr. 
Scott?"  asked  Tom. 

"  Yes,  I  can  see  by  the  trail.'5 
"  I  can  see  no  hoof-marks." 

"Not  just  here;  but  look  closely,  and  you  will 
see  slight  marks  of  disturbance  in  the  grass.  As 
long  as  these  signs  last  we  need  have  no  doubts 
as  to  our  being  on  the  right  track." 

"The  same  trail  will  lead  us  back  to  our  party," 
said  Tom. 

"Yes,  I  shouldn't  like  to  part  from  them  in  this 
country.  It  would  be  rather  a  bad  place  to  be  lost 
without  provisions." 

They  had  ridden  about  five  miles,  when  the  trail 
became  clearer  and  better  defined.  In  fact,  the 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS   THE  PLAINS.  257 

marks  in  the  prairie-grass  appeared  more  numerous 
than  a  single  horse  would  be  likely  to  make. 

Scott  looked   grave. 

;'We  will  halt  here  a  moment,  Tom,"  he  said. 
"  I  want  to  examine  the  trail." 

"Shall   I   get  off  my  horse?" 

"  No ;   it   is   not  necessary." 

Scott  dismounted,  and  walked  about,  closely 
examining  the  marks  in  the  grass. 

Finally   he   looked   up. 

"  I  begin  to  think  it  doubtful  whether  we  shall 
recover  Dan,"  he  said. 

"Why?" 

"He  has  been  found  and  carried  off,"  was  the 
repty.  "  Do  you  see  the  double  trail?" 

"Yes,"   said   Tom,   after   a   brief  examination. 

"  It  means  that  a  horseman  has  found  Dan, 
and  led  him  away.  This  rather  complicates  mat 
ters." 

"What  do  you  think  we  had  better  do?" 
inquired  Tom. 

"That  requires  consideration.  I  could  tell 
better  if  I  knew  by  whom  the  horse  had  been 
17 


258  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

found.  The  finder  may  be  honest,  and  would,  in 
that  case,  surrender  it  on  our  appearing,  and  claim 
ing  him.  But,  again,  he  may  be  dishonest,  and 
resist  our  claims." 

"We   are   two   to   one,"    said  Tom,    stoutly. 

"We  don't  know  that.  The  man  may  belong 
to  a  party." 

"The  members  of  his  party  would  know  that 
the  horse  was  not  his." 

"Quite  true,  if  the  party  was  composed  of 
decent  persons,  like  our  own ;  but  that  is  not 
certain." 

"Then  will  you  go  back  without  Dan?"  asked 
Tom. 

"  I  don't  want  to  do  that.  In  fact  I  should 
be  ashamed  to.  Captain  Fletcher  would  conclude 
that  he  might  as  well  have  sent  Peabody ;  and 
I  am  not  anxious  to  be  classed  with  him." 

"  Nor   I,"   said  Tom,   smiling. 

"So  the  only  thing  is  to  push  on,  and  make 
what  discoveries  we  may." 

"All  right,"   said   Tom,   cheerfully. 

They  rode  on  for  a  couple  of  miles,  having   no 


TOlfs   TRIP  ACROSS   THE   PLAINS.  259 

difficulty  in  following  the  trail,  until  they  reached 
the  brow  of  a  small  eminence.  Here  they  were 
greeted  with  a  sight  that  startled  them.  A  group 
of  a  dozen  Indians  were  reclining  on  the  grass, 
with  their  horses  fastened  near  them.  Startled  as 
they  were,  they  detected  the  animal  of  which 
they  were  in  search  among  the  Indian  horses. 

"  We've  walked  into  a  trap  with  our  eyes 
open,  Tom,"  said  Scott,  halting  his  horse  me 
chanically.  His  bronzed  face  was  a  little  pale, 
for  he  knew  well  the  character  of  the  savages 
before  him,  the  hopelessness  of  escape,  and  the 
terrible  fate  that  probably  awaited  them. 

"Shall  we  turn  and  fry,  Mr.  Scott?"  asked 
Tom,  hurriedly. 

"It  would  be  of  no  use,  Tom.  We  must  stay 
,and  face  the  music." 

Upon  the  appearance  of  the  two  friends  the 
Indians  had  sprung  to  their  feet,  and  the  col 
loquy  was  scarcely  over  before  there  was  an 
Indian  at  eactt  bridle  rein.  They  made  signs, 
easily  understood,  for  Tom  and  Scott  to  dis 
mount. 


260  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"  Stop  a  minute,"  said  Scott,  with  creditable 
coolness,  considering  the  great  peril  in  which  he 
knew  himself  to  be.  "  Is  there  any  one  here 
who  speaks  English?" 

An  elderly  Indian  stepped  forward  quickly,  and 
said,  "  Speak,  white  man.  I  speak  English  a 
little." 

"Good,"  said  Scott;  "then  I  want  you  to 
tell  }rour  friends  here  that  I  came  after  a  horse 
that  left  our  camp  last  night.  Do  you  under 
stand?" 

The   Indian   inclined  his   head. 

u  There  he  is,"  continued  Scott,  pointing  with 
his  finger  to  Dan.  "  Give  him  to  me,  and  I  will 
go  away." 

The  interpreter  turned  to  his  companions,  and 
repeated  what  Scott  had  said.  Evidently  it  was 
not  favorably  received,  as  Scott  could  see  by  the 
menacing  looks  that  were  turned  upon  him.  He 
waited,  with  some  anxiety,  for  the  answer  to  his 
claim.  He  had  to  wait  for  some  minutes,  during 
which  the  Indians  appeared  to  be  consulting.  It 
came  at  last. 


TOA?S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  261 

"  The  white  man  has  lied,"  said  the  Indian, 
sententiously.  "  The  horse  is  ours." 

"That's  pretty  cool,  eh,  Tom?"  said  Scott, 
provoked ;  not  only  by  the  denial  of  his  claim, 
but  by  the  charge  of  falsehood. 

Tom  did  not  answer,  thinking  silence  more 
prudent. 

The  Indian  interpreter  looked  suspiciously  from 
one  to  the  other.  He  understood  what  "cool" 
meant,  but  was  not  familiar  with  the  special 
sense  in  which  Scott  used  it. 

"  I  will  prove  that  the  horse  is  ours,"  said 
Scott.  "Here,  Dan!" 

The  horse  whinnied,  and  tried  to  reach  Scott, 
upon  hearing  his  name  pronounced. 

"There,"  said  Scott,  triumphantly,  "you  see 
the  horse  knows  me.  I  have  not  lied." 

The  speech  was  an  imprudent  one.  Indians 
are  not  lawyers,  but  they  understand  the  familiar 
sa}*ing,  that  "possession  is  nine  points  of  the 
law."  That  the  horse  was  a  valuable  one  the}" 
understood ;  and  they  had  no  intention  of  parting 
with  him.  Still  more,  they  looked  with  covetous 


262  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OK, 

eyes  at  the  horses  ridden  by  Scott  and  the  boy, 
and  they  had  already  made  up  their  minds  to 
seize  them  also. 

"The  white  man  is  a  magician,"  said  the 
interpreter.  "He  has  bewitched  the  horse.  The 
horse  is  ours.  He  has  alwa}^s  belonged  to  us." 

"It's  no  use,  Tom,"  said  Scott.  "They  are 
bound  to  keep  Dan,  and  I  don't  see  how  we 
can  help  it.  We  had  better  give  him  up,  and 
get  away  if  we  can.  All-  the  same,  the  fellow 
is  an  outrageous  liar." 

He  spoke  in  a  low  voice,  and  the  interpreter 
though  listening  attentively,  did  not  quite  catch  what 
was  said. 

"I  guess  you  are  right,"  said  Tom. 

Scott  turned  to  the  interpreter. 

"  Well,  if  you  think  it  is  yours,  squire,  I  reckon 
you  will  keep  it.  So  we'll  say  good-morning, 
and  go." 

He  pulled  the  rein,  but  the  Indian  at  his 
bridle  did  not  let  go. 

"Good-morning,  gentlemen,"  said  Scott.  "We 
are  going." 


TOM'S    TRIP   ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  263 

"  White  man  must  sta}T,"  said  the  Indian  in 
terpreter,  decisively. 

."Why?"  demanded  Scott,  impatiently. 

"He  has  tried  to  steal  Indian's  horse,"  said  the 
wily  savage. 

"  Well,  by  gosh ;  that's  turning  the  tables  with 
a  vengeance,"  ejaculated  Scott.  "They're  rather 
ahead  of  white  rogues,  Tom.  Will  you  let  the 
boy  go?"  he  asked. 

"White  boy  stay,  too,"  answered  the  interpreter, 
after  a  brief  reference  to  the  leader  of  the  Indian 
party. 

"Tom,"  said  Scott,  rapidly,  and  not  appearing 
to  be  excited,  lest  his  excitement  should  lead  to 
suspicion,  "none  of  them  are  mounted.  Lash  your 
horse,  and  tear  from  the  grasp  of  the  man  that 
holds  him ;  then  follow  me.  It  is  our  only 
chance." 

Tom's  heart  beat  rapidlj*.  He  knew  that  all  his 
nerve  was  called  for ;  but  he  did  not  falter. 

"  Give  the  signal,"  he  said. 

"One,  two,  three!"  said  Scott,  rapidly.  Simul 
taneously  both  lashed  their  horses.  The  startled 


264  TJIE  YOUNG  ADVENTURER;  o/?, 

animals  sprang  forward.  The  grips  of  the  Indians, 
who  were  not  suspecting  any  attempt  at  escape, 
were  already  relaxed,  and  before  they  were  fully 
aware  of  what  was  intended  our  two  friends  were 
galloping  away. 


TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  265 


CHAPTER  XXIX 

A  RACE   FOR  LIFE. 

THE  Indians  were  taken  by  surprise.  They  so 
outnumbered  their  intended  captives  that  they  had 
not  anticipated  an  attempt  at  escape.  But  they 
had  no  intention  of  losing  their  prey.  There  was 
a  howl  of  surprise  and  disappointment ;  then  they 
sprang  for  their  horses,  and,  with  little  delay,  were 
on  the  track  of  our  two  friends. 

The  delay  was  small,  but  it  was  improved  by 
Scott  and  Tom.  Pressing  their  animals  to  their 
highest  speed  they  gained  a  lead  of  several  hun 
dred  feet  before  their  savage  pursuers  had  fairly 
started.  It  was  well  that  Tom  was  a  good  rider, 
or  he  might  not  have  been  able  to  keep  his  seat. 
In  fact,  he  had  never  ridden  so  rapidly  before : 
but  he  felt  that  he  was  riding  for  his  life,  and 
was  only  anxious  to  ride  faster.  Scott  had  felt 
a  little  anxious  on  this  point;  but  his  anxiety 


266  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

vanished  when  he  saw  how  easily  and  fearlessly 
his  boy-companion  kept  at  his  side. 

"Well  done,  Tom!"  he  said,  as  they  flew  over 
the  prairie.  "Keep  up  this  pace,  and  we  will 
escape  yet." 

"I  can  do  it,  if  my  horse  holds  out/' returned 
Tom,  briefly. 

Scott  looked  over  his  shoulder,  and,  brave  man 
as  he  was,  it  almost  made  him  shudder.  The 
whole  party  of  Indians  was  on  his  track.  He 
cduld  see  their  dusky  faces,  distorted  by  wrath, 
and  the  longing  for  a  savage  revenge.  He  knew 
that  Tom  and  he  had  little  to  hope  for  if  they 
were  caught.  Fortunately  their  horses  were  strong 
and  fleet,  and  not  likely  to  break  down. 

"Ride  for  your  life,  Tom!"  he  shouted.  "They 
will  show  us  no  mercy  if  they  catch  us." 

"All  right,  Mr.  Scott!"  said  Tom,  his  face 
flushed,  and  panting  with  excitement.  If  he  had 
not  felt  that  so  much  depended  upon  it ; .  if  he 
could  have  thrust  out  from  his  mind  the  sense  of 
the  awful  peril  in  which  he  stood, — he  would 


TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  267 

have  enjoyed  the  furious  pace  at  which  his  horse 
was  canying  him. 

The  horses  ridden  by  the  Indians  were  not  equal 
in  speed  or  endurance  to  those  which  the  two 
friends  bestrode.  They  were  fresher  indeed,  but 
they  did  not  make  up  for  the  difference  between 
them.  There  was  one  exception,  however:  Dan, 
the  stolen  horse,  was  not'  only  equal  to  either  of 
their  horses,  but  had  the  advantage  of  being 
fresher.  This,  after  a  while,  began  to  tell.  It  was 
ridden  by  a  young  Indian  brave,  a  brother  of  the 
leader.  Soon  he  drew  away  from  his  companions, 
and,  yard  by  yard,  lessened  the  distance  between 
himself  and  the  pursued.  At  the  end  of  three 
miles  he  was  close  upon  them,  and  at  least  fifty 
rods  in  advance  of  his  comrades.  Scott  saw  this 
in  one  of  his  backward  glances. 

"Tom,"  said  he,  "the  redskin  on  Dan  is  over 
hauling  USl'* 

"Will  he  catch  us?" 

"I  mean  to  catch  him,"  said  Scott,  coolly. 

Tom  did  not  need  to  ask  for  an  explanation. 
Scott  wheeled  round,  took  hasty  but  accurate  aim 


268  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

at  the  Indian,  and  fired.  The  hapless  warrior 
reeled  in  his  saddle,  loosed  his  hold  of  the  reins, 
and  fell  to  the  ground,  while  his  horse,  continuing 
in  his  course,  his  pace  accelerated  by  fright,  soon 
galloped  alongside  of  Scott.  There  was  a  howl 
of  rage  from  the  main  body  of  Indians,  who  saw 
the  fate  of  their  comrade,  without  being  able  to 
help  him. 

"Now,  Tom,  ride  as  you  never  rode  before!" 
shouted  Scott.  "We  will  circumvent  those  Indian 
devils  }'et,  and  bring  Dan  safe  into  camp.  Come 
along,  Dan,  old  fellow ;  j'ou're  doing  nobly." 

Dan  recognized  the  familiar  voice.  He  entered 
into  the  spirit  of  the  race,  and,  relieved  from  the 
weight  of  his  rider,  dashed  forward  with  increased 
speed,  till  he  led,  and  Scott  and  Tom  were  forced 
to  follow. 

The  Indians  were  mad  with  rage.  Their  com 
rade  had  received  a  fatal  wound.  They  saw  the 
round  hole  in  his  breast,  from  which  the  life- 
blood  was  gushing,  and  they  thirsted  for  vengeance. 

Should  two  pale-faces,  one  of  them  a  boy, 
escape  from  them?  That  would  be  a  disgrace, 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  269 

indeed ;  the  blood  of  their  brother  called  for 
blood  in  return. 

Could  they  have  inspired  their  horses  with  the 
same  spirit  which  animated  themselves,  they  might, 
perhaps,  have  overtaken  their  intended  captives ; 
but,  happily  for  our  two  friends,  the  horses  were 
less  interested  than  their  riders. 

The  danger  was  well-nigh  over.  It  was  scarcely 
two  miles  to  the  camp.  There  they  would  be 
so  reinforced  that  the  Indians  would  not  venture 
an  attack.  That  was  the  goal  they  had  in  view. 
Already  they  could  see  in  the  distance  the  wagon- 
train,  ready  for  a  start.  They  were  surely  safe 
now.  But  at  this  unlucky  moment  Tom's  horse 
stumbled.  The  motion  was  so  rapid  that  he  could 
not  retain  his  seat.  He  was  thrown  over  the 
horse's  head,  and  lay  stunned  and  insensible  upon 
the  ground.  His  horse  kept  on  his  way  to  the 
camp. 


270  THE    YOUNG  ADVENTURER;   OR, 


CHAPTER     XXX. 

TOM   BECOMES   AN   INDIAN   BY   ADOPTION. 

SCOTT  did  not  immediately  notice  Tom's  mis 
hap.  The  boy  had  shown  himself  so  good  a 
rider  that  such  an  accident  had  not  occurred  to 
him  as  likely  to  happen.  When  he  did  look 
back  there  was  already  a  .considerable  distance 
between  them.  In  fact,  Tom  lay  midway  between 
the  Indians  and  himself. 

What  was  he  to  do? 

If  he  returned  there  was  no  hope  of  rescuing 
Tom ;  and  he  would  infallibly  fall  into  the  hands 
of  the  Indian  pursuers.  In  that  case  his  fate 
was  sealed.  He  had  killed  an  Indian  warrior, 
and  his  life  would  pay  the  forfeit.  By  going  on 
he  could  head  a  rescuing  party  from  the  camp. 
His  heart  ached  for  Tom.  It  was  hard  to  leave 
him  in  the  hands  of  the  savage  foe ;  but  Tom 
was  a  bo3T,  and  there  was  hope  that  he  would 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE    PLAINS.  271 

be  spared;  so  he  felt  that  it  was  better  to 
continue  his  flight. 

There  was  a  shout  of  fierce  joy  when  the 
Indians  saw  Tom's  fall.  They  would  have  pre 
ferred  to  capture  Scott,  for  he  it  was  who  had 
killed  their  comrade ;  but  they  were  glad  to  have 
one  prisoner.  They  reined  up  their  horses,  and 
halted  beside  the  still  insensible  boy.  They  held 
a  brief  consultation,  and  decided  not  to  continue 
the  pursuit.  They  could  see  the  encampment, 
which  Scott  was  sure  to  reach  before  he  could 
be  overtaken.  They  could  not  tell  the  number 
of  the  party  to  which  he  belonged ;  but,  being 
few  in  numbers  themselves,  the  risk  would  be  a 
hazardous  one.  They  decided  to  retire  with  their 
prisoner.  Tom  was  lifted  to  a  seat  in  front  of 
one  of  the  part}-,  and  they  rode  leisurely  back. 

This  was  the  position  in  which  our  hero  found 
himself  when  he  roused  from  his  stupor.  One 
glance  revealed  to  him  the  whole.  His  heart 
sank  within  him.  They  might  kill  him.  Remem 
bering  the  ghastly  sights  he  had  seen  on  his  trip 
across  the  plains,  he  thought  it  likely  that  they 


272  ins  YOUNG  ADVENTURER;  OR. 

would.  Life  was  sweet  to  Tom.  To  what  boy 
of  sixteen  is  it  not?  It  seemed  hard  to  be  cut 
off  in  the  threshold  of  an  active  career,  and  by 
savage  hands.  But  there  was  an  additional  pang 
in  the  thought  that  now  he  would  be  unable  to 
help  his  father.  The  result  of  his  plan  would 
only  be  to  impose  an  additional  burden  upon  the 
modest  home  which  his  father  found  it  so  hard 
to  keep  up.  Tom  sighed ;  and,  for  the  first  time 
in  his  life,  he  felt  discouraged. 

He  looked  about  him,  scanning  the  dark,  grave 
faces,  and  read  no  hope  or  encouragement  in  any. 
Finally  the  Indians  came  to  a  halt  at  their  old 
camping-ground,  and  Tom  was  lifted  from  the 
horse.  He  was  placed  upon  the  ground,  in  the 
centre  of  the  group.  Then  followed  a  consultation. 
From  the  glances  directed  towards  him  Tom  un 
derstood  that  he  was  the  subject  of  deliberation. 
In  fact,  his  fate  was  being  decided. 

It  was  certainly  a  trying  ordeal  for  our  young 
hero.  He  was  not  sure  of  half  an  hour's  life. 
An  unfavorable  decision  might  be  followed  by 
immediate  execution.  Tom  felt  that  his  best 


TOAfS   TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  273 

course  was  to  remain  perfectly  passive.  He  could 
not  understand  what  was  said ;  but  we  are  able 
to  acquaint  the  reader  with  the  general  purport 
of  the  conference. 

Several  of  the  Indians  favored  immediate   death. 

"  Our  brother's  blood  calls  for  vengeance,"  they 
said.  "  The  white  boy  must  die." 

"The  boy  did  not  kill  him,"  said  others.  "It 
was  the  white  warrior  who  spilled  our  brother's 
blood.  He  must  be  pursued  and  slain." 

"What,  then,  shall  be  done  with  the  boy? 
Shall  he  go?" 

"No;  we  will  keep  him.  He  has  strong  limbs* 
We  will  adopt  him  into  our  tribe.  He  will  make 
a  brave  warrior." 

"He  shall  be  my  brother,"  said  the  chief.  "I 
will  take  him  in  place  of  my  brother  who  is 
dead." 

There  was  a  low  murmur  of  approval.  Even 
those  who  had  first  recommended  the  infliction  of 
death  seemed  to  have  changed  their  minds.  The}' 
looked  at  the  boy  as  he  lay  stretched  out  upon 

the    ground.     He  was   stout,   comely,  and   strongly 
18 


274  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

made.  He  had  proved  that  he  was  an  admirable 
rider.  If  he  should  join  them  he  would  grow 
up  into  a  warrior  who  would  do  credit  to  their 
tribe. 

So  the  matter  was  settled.  The  only  thing  that 
remained  was  to  acquaint  the  prisoner  with  the 
decision. 

The  interpreter  approached  Tom,  and  said, 
"  White  boy,  3*011  are  our  captive.  Why  should 
we  not  kill  you?" 

"you  can  if  you  wish,"  answered  Tom;  "but 
why  should  you  kill  me?  I  have  done  you  no 
harm." 

"•Our  brother  is  killed.  He  lies  dead  upon  the 
plain." 

"I   did   not  kill   him,"   said   Tom. 

"  The  white  boy  speaks  truth.  He  did  not 
kill  our  brother,  but  his  white  friend  took  his 
life." 

"  You  ought  not  to  kill  me  for  that,"  said 
Tom,  gathering  courage,  for  he  inferred  he  was 
to  live. 

"  The    white     boy    speaks    truth,    and    therefore 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  275 

he  shall  live,  but  he  must  join  us.  He  must  live 
with  us,  hunt  with  us,  and  fight  for  us." 

"  You  want  me  to  become  an  Indian !  "  ejac 
ulated  Tom. 

"  We  will  take  }'ou  in  place  of  the  warrior 
that  is  gone,"  said  the  interpreter. 

Tom  looked  thoughtful.  He  did  not  enjoy  the 
prospect  before  him,  but  it  was,  at  all  events, 
better  than  death.  While  there  was  life  there 
was  hope  of  escape.  He  concluded  to  make  one 
appeal  for  freedom,  and,  if  that  was  denied,  to 
accept  the  proposal. 

"  I  have  a  father  and  mother  far  away,"  he 
said;  "I  have  brothers  and  a  sister,  who  will 
mourn  for  me.  My  father  is  poor ;  he  needs  my 
help.  Let  me  go  back  to  them." 

The  interpreter  communicated  Tom's  words  to 
his  companions,  but  it  was  easy  to  see  that  the}' 
were  not  favorably  received.  The  original  advo 
cates  of  the  death  penalty  looked  at  our  hero 
with  hostile  eyes,  and  he  saw  that  he  had  made 
a  mistake. 

u  The   white   boy   must    become    one   of   us;   he 


276  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURE  Rj    OR, 

must  take  our  brother's  place,  or  he  must  die," 
said  the  interpreter. 

Tom  very  sensibty  concluded  that  it  would  be  bet 
ter  to  live  with  the  Indians  than  to  be  killed, 
and  signified  his  acceptance  of  the  offer.  Upon 
this  the  Indians  formed  a  circle  about  him,  and 
broke  into  a  monotonous  chant,  accompanied  with 
sundry  movements  of  the  limbs,  which  appeared 
to  be  their  way  of  welcoming  him  into  their 
tribe. 

It  seemed  like  a  dream  to  Tom.  He  found  it 
very  hard  to  realize  his  position,  so  unexpect 
edly  had  he  been  placed  in  it.  He  could  not 
help  wondering  what  the  family  at  home  would 
say  when  they  should  learn  that  he  had  joined 
an  Indian  tribe  far  beyond  the  Mississippi. 

ft 


TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS. 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 

TOM!   GIVES   A   MAGICAL   SOIREE. 

TOM  had  no  intention  of  passing  his  life  with 
the  Indians.  In  joining  them  he  submitted  to 
necessity.  It  gave  him  a  respite,  and  a  chance 
to  devise  plans  of  escape.  He  understood  very 
well  that,  if  he  made  the  attempt  and  failed,  his 
life  would  be  the  forfeit.  But  Tom  determined 
to  take  the  risk,  though  life  was  sweet  to  him ; 
but  of  course  he  must  wait  for  a  favorable  op 
portunity. 

There  was  a  chance  of  his  being  rescued  by 
his  party,  but  this  chance  was  diminished  b\~  fSe 
decision  of  his  Indian  captors  to  break  camp, 
and  proceed  in  a  northerly  direction,  while  the 
course  of  the  emigrant  train  was  of  course  west 
ward.  Little  time  was  wasted.  The  Indians 
mounted  their  horses,  Tom  being  put  on  the 
horse  of  the  fallen  braye.  The  leader  put  him- 


278  THE  YOUXG  ADVENTURER;  OR, 

self  at  the  head,  and  Tom  was  placed  in  the 
centre,  surrounded  by  Indians.  It  was  evident 
that  they  were  not  willing  to  tiust  him  }*et. 
They  meant  to  afford  him  no  chance  of  escape. 

As  the  only  one  of  the  band  with  whom  Tom 
could  converse  was  the  interpreter,  who  rode  at 
the  head  with  the  chief,  he  rode  in  silence.  The 
Indians  on  either  side  of  him  never  turned  their 
heads  towards  him,  but,  grave  and  impassive, 
rode  on,  looking  straight  before  them. 

"This  is  easier  than  walking,"  thought  Tom; 
"  but  I  would  a  hundred  times  rather  walk  with 
Scott,  or  Miles,  than  ride  in  my  present  company." 

They  rode  for  three  hours,  and  then  dismounted 
for  the  mid-day  rest. 

Nothing  had  been  seen  or  heard  of  his  old  friends, 
and  that  made  Tom  anxious  and  thoughtful. 

"They  have  gone  on  without  me,  leaving  me 
to  my  fate,"  he  said  to  himself,  and  the  reflection 
gave  him  a  pang.  He  had  been  on  such  pleasant 
and  friendly  terms  with  the  whole  party,  that 
this  cold  desertion  (as  it  appeared)  wounded 
him.  The  young  are  more  sensitive  in  such 


TOMS    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.,  279 

cases  than  their  elders.  As  we  grow  older  we 
cease  to  expect  too  much  of  those  whose  interests 
differ  from  our  own. 

Tom  felt  that  his  fate  was  more  and  more 
bound  up  with  the  Indians.  If  some  days  should 
pass  before  he  could  escape  he  would  find 
himself  in  an  embarrassing  condition.  Suppose  he 
got  away  safely,  he  would  find  himself  in  a 
pathless  plain,  without  provisions,  and  with  no 
other  guide  than  the  sun.  If  he  should  meet 
with  no  party  he  would  die  of  starvation.  The 
prospect  seemed  by  no  means  bright. 

I  am  bound  to  say  that,  for  a  time,  Tom,  in 
spite  of  his  bright,  sanguine  temperament,  was 
greatly  depressed ;  but  his  spirits  were  elastic. 

'kl  won't  give  up  to  despair,"  he  said  to 
himself.  "  Something  tells  me  that  I  shall  come 
out  right.  I  must  wait  and  watch  my  chances." 

Upon  this  his  face  brightened,  and  his  air, 
which  had  been  listless,  became  more  animated. 
The  Indians  glanced  at  him  with  grave  approval. 
The}T  concluded  that  he  was  becoming  reconciled 
to  living  among  them. 


280  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    O/i, 

When  the  simple  mid-day  meal  was  placed 
upon  the  ground,  and  the  Indians  gathered  around 
it  in  a  sitting  posture,  Tom  followed  their  example, 
and  did  full  justice  to  the  dinner.  In  fact  he 
had  taken  so  much  exercise  that  he  felt  hungry. 
Besides,  he  knew  that  he  must  keep  up  his 
strength,  if  he  wished  to  escape ;  so,  instead  of 
keeping  aloof  in  sullen  dissatisfaction,  he  dis 
played  a  "healthy  appetite." 

After  resting  several  hours  the  Indians  resumed 
their  journey,  -but  did  not  travel  far.  They  were 
in  no  hurry.  They  had  no  long  journey  to  make 
across  the  continent.  They  only  wished  to  go 
far  enough  to  be  safe  from  attack  by  a  rescuing 
party  of  Tom's  friends.  Again  they  encamped, 
and  this  time,  from  the  preparations  made,  he 
understood  that  it  was  for  the  night. 

One  thing  Tom  could  not  help  noticing,  —  the 
silence  of  these  red  children  of  the  plains. 
They  seemed  to  make  no  conversation  with  each 
other,  except  on  necessary  matters,  and  then  their 
words  wrere  few  in  number,  replies  being  often 
made  in  a  monosyllable. 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  281 

"  The}'  don't  seem  very  social,"  thought  Tom. 
"  I  suppose  they  have  nothing  to  talk  about.  I 
wonder  if  the  squaws  ever  have  sewing-circles. 
If  they  have,  they  can't  be  much  like  Yankee 
women  if  they  don't  find  plenty  to  talk  about." 

The  silence  became  oppressive.  Tom  would  have 
liked  to  take  a  walk,  but  he  knew  that  this  would 
not  be  allowed.  It  would  be  thought  that  he 
wanted  to  escape.  Yet  to  sit  mute  hour  after 
hour  seemed  to  Tom  intolerably  stupid.  A  bold 
idea  came  to  him.  He  would  try  to  afford  them 
some  amusement. 

Accordingly,  he  said  to  the  interpreter,  "  Shal 
I  show  you  a  trick?" 

The  interpreter  communicated  the  proposal  to 
his  comrades,  and  permission  was  granted. 

Tom  took  from  his  pocket  a  penny.  He  ex 
plained  to  the  interpreter  that  he  would  swallow 
the  pennj*,  and  make  it  come  out  at  his  nose,  — 
a  common  boy's  trick.  The  Indians,  to  whom 
this  also  was  communicated,  looked  curious  and 
incredulous,  and  Tom  proceeded. 

Now  I  am   not  going  to  explain   how  Tom   ac- 


282  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

complished  the  illusion.  That  I  leave  to  the 
ingenuity  of  my  boj-readers  to  discover.  It  is 
enough  to  say  that  he  succeeded,  to  the  great 
amazement  of  his  copper-colored  spectators.  There 
was  a  chorus  of  Ughs !  and  Tom  was  requested  to 
repeat  the  trick. 

He  did  so,  the  Indians  being  as  puzzled  as 
before. 

Now,  Indians  are,  in  many  respects,  like  chil 
dren.  They  displayed,  on  this  occasion,  a  childish 
curiosity  and  wonder  that  amused  Tom.  They 
insisted  on  his  opening  his  mouth,  to  ascertain 
whether  there  was  any  hidden  avenue,  from  his 
mouth  to  his  nose,  and  found,  to  their  surprise, 
that  his  mouth  was  like  their  own.  Then  one  of 
the  Indians  volunteered  to  try  the  experiment, 
and  nearly  choked  himself  with  the  pemry,  which, 
it  must  be  remembered,  was  one  of  the  large, 
old-fashioned,  copper  coins,  in  circulation  before 
the  war.  It  cannot  be  said  that  he  turned  black 
in  the  face,  but  he  certainly  gasped,  and  rolled 
his  eyes  in  a  manner  that  alarmed  his  friends, 
and  they  instinctively  looked  to  Tom  for  help. 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  283 

Tom  was  equal  to  the  emergency.  He  rose  hastily, 
slapped  the  Indian  forcibly  on  the  back,  and  the 
cent  was  ejected  from  his  mouth. 

There  was  another  chorus  of  Ughs  !  and  it  was 
evident  that  Tom  had  risen  vastly  in  their  opinion. 
They  looked  upon  him  as  a  white  magician,  and 
even  were  a  little  afraid  that  he  might  work  them 
injuiy  in  some  way.  But  Tom's  frank,  good- 
humored  manner  reassured  them.  They  asked  him, 
through  the  interpreter,  if  he  could  perform  any 
other  tricks.  Tom  knew  a  few,  that  he  had  learned 
out  of  an  old  tattered  book  which  had  fallen  in 
his  way  at  home ;  and  such  as  he  had  facilities 
for  he  attempted,  to  the  great  delight  of  his  new 
friends.  Tom  was  becoming  popular ;  and  even 
those  who  had  at  first  recommended  death  were 
glad  that  his  life  had  been  spared. 


284  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OX, 


CHAPTER   XXXII. 

TOM'S  ESCAPE. 

NIGHT  came,  and  the  Indian  camp  was  hushed 
and  still.  It  was  long  before  Tom  went  to  sleep. 
Generally  he  was  a  good  sleeper,  but  his  mind  at 
present  was  too  active  for  slumber.  "  How  long 
is  this  strange  life  going  to  last  ? "  he  asked 
himself.  "How  long  am  I  to  be  exiled  from 
civilization?"  This  was  more  easily  asked  than 
answered. 

When  he  slept,  his  sleep  was  troubled.  He 
dreamed  that  Lawrence  Peabody  was  a  captive, 
and  that  the  chief  was  about  to  scalp  him,  when 
suddenly  he  awoke.  He  could  not  at  first  tell 
where  he  was,  but  a  glance  revealed  the  dis 
heartening  truth. 

He  must  have  slept  several  hours,  for  the  gray 
dawn  was  creeping  up  the  skjr,  heralding  sunrise. 
He  leaned  on  his  elbow,  and  bent  a  searching 


TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  285 

glance  upon  his  companions.  They  were  stretched 
motionless  upon  the  ground,  hushed  in  the  in 
sensibility  of  sleep.  "Are  the}'  asleep?"  Tom 
asked  himself.  He  satisfied  himself  that  the 
slumber  was  genuine,  and  there  sprang  up  in  his 
heart  the  wild  hope  of  escape.  A  few  rods  dis 
tant  the  horses  were  fastened.  Could  he  unfasten 
and  mount  one  before  any  of  them  awakened? 

Tom's  heart  beat  quick  with  excitement.  He 
knew  that  he  ran  a  fearful  risk;  but  he  made  up 
his  mind  that  now  was  his  time. 

Slowly,  and  without  noise,  he  raised  himself  to 
his  feet.  As  he  stood  erect,  he  closely  scanned 
the  sleepers.  There  was  not  a  motion.  With 
stealthy  steps  he  crept  to  the  horses.  He  selected 
the  one  he  had  ridden  the  day  before,  and  un 
loosed  him.  The  animal  gave  a  slight  whinny, 
and  Tom's  heart  was  in  his  throat.  But  no  one 
stirred.  He  quickly  mounted  the  animal,  and 
walked  him  for  a  few  rods,  then  gave  him  a  loose 
rein,  and  was  soon  speeding  away.  Just  then  the 
sun  rose,  and  this  guided  him  in  the  direction  he 
was  to  take. 


286  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    0/J, 

He  had  got  a  mile  away,  when,  looking  back 
through  the  clear  air,  he  saw,  to  his  dismay, 
that  his  flight  had  been  discovered.  The  Indians 
were  mounting  their  horses. 

"I  must  gallop  for  life,"  thought  Tom.  "They 
will  kill  me  if  they  catch  me." 

He  urged  on  his  horse  by  all  the  means  in 
his  power.  Luckily  it  was  one  of  the  two  fleet 
est  horses  the  Indians  possessed,  the  other  being 
ridden  by  their  leader. 

Tom's  hope  was  sustained  by  this  fact,  which 
he  had  proof  of  the  day  before. 

Rather  to  his  surprise  he  did  not  feel  as.  much 
frightened  as  he  anticipated.  He  felt  excited, 
and  this  was  his  prominent  feeling.  Probably  he 
felt  like  a  soldier  in  the  heat  of  battle. 

But  the  odds  against  Tom  were  terrible,  and 
his  chance  of  escape  seemed  very  slender.  Be 
hind  him  was  a  band  of  savages,  accustomed  to 
the  plains,  strong,  wil}r,  enduring,  and  persistent. 
He  was  new  to  the  plains,  and  a  mere  boy. 
Moreover,  he  did  not  know  where  to  find  his 
part}'.  There  were  no  sign-boards  upon  the  prai- 


TOM'S    1  RIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  287 

ries,  but  a  vast,  uniform  expanse  stretching  far 
ther  than  the  eye  could  reach. 

Inch  by  inch,  foot  by  foot,  the  Indians  gained 
upon  him,  the  leader  considerably  in  advance. 

Even  if  he  alone  were  to  overtake  Tom,  our 
hero  would  of  course  be  no  match  for  a  strong, 
full-grown  warrior,  more  especially  as  he  had  no 
weapon  with  him.  By  some  mischance  he  had 
left  it  in  the  camp. 

Tom's  heart  began  to  fail  him.  His  horse 
could  not  always,  perhaps  not  long,  keep  up  his 
headlong  speed.  Then  would  follow  capture,  and 
a  painful  death. 

"It's  hard,"  thought  Tom,  sadly,  — "hard  for  me 
and  for  my  dear  parents  and  brothers  and  sis 
ters.  Why  did  I  ever  leave  home?" 

He  turned  in  the  saddle,  and  saw  the  Indian 
leader  evidently  nearer.  But  he  saw  something 
else.  He  saw  a  herd  of  buffaloes,  thousands  in 
number,  impetuously  rushing  across  the  plain  from 
the  west.  Their  speed  was  great.  They  seemed 
to  be  blindly  following  their  leader. 

"Good     heavens!"     ejaculated     Tom,    in    great 


288  THE    TOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

excitement;  "the  Indians  are  in  their  path.  If 
the  herd  does  not  stop,  they  will  be  destroyed." 
The  Indians  were  fully  aware  of  their  great 
danger.  They  knew  the  plains  well,  and  the 
terrible,  resistless  power  of  these  wild  herds 
when  once  on  the  march.  They  no  longer  thought 
of  Tom,  but  of  their  own  safety.  But  the  buf 
faloes  were  close  at  hand.  They  were  sweeping 
on  like  a  whirlwind.  The  Indians  could  only 
ride  on,  and  trust  to  clear  them.  But  their 
pathway  was  wide.  It  reached  to  within  a  fur 
long  of  where  Tom  was  riding.  They  never 
paused ;  some  of  the  animals  in  the  advance 
might  have  veered  to  the  right  or  left  on  seeing 
the  Indians,  but  the  pressure  from  behind  pre 
vented.  The  savages  saw  their  fate,  and  it  inspired 
them  with  more  dread  than  an  encounter  with 
white  foes.  Finally  they  halted  in  despair,  and 
their  fate  overtook  them.  Riders,  and  steeds  were 
overthrown  as  by  a  flash  of  lightning.  The 
dark,  shaggy  herd  did  not  stop,  but  dashed  on. 
Torn,  in  awe  and  excitement,  halted  his  horse, 
and  watched  the  terrible  sight.  He  could  not 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE    PLAINS.  289 

but  sympathize  with  his  late  companions,  though 
he  knew  they  would  have  taken  his  life. 

The  buffaloes  passed  on,  but  left  no  life  behind 
them.  The  Indians  and  their  horses  were  all  tram 
pled  to  death.  Tom  was  alone  upon  the  plains. 

He  thanked  God  in  his  heart  for  his  self- 
deliverance  ;  though  he  shuddered  at  the  manner 
in  which  it  was  wrought.  He,  too,  had  been 
near  being  overwhelmed,  but,  through  God's  mercy, 
had  escaped. 

But  for  what  had  he  escaped?  Unless  he  found 
his  own  part}7,  or  some  other,  he  would  starve 
to  death,  or  might  fall  into  the  power  of  some 
other  tribe  of  Indians.  He  must  ride  on. 

An  hour  later  he  thought  he  saw  in  the  dis 
tance  a  solitary  horseman.  It  might  be  an  Indian ; 
but  that  was  not  likely,  for  they  generally  trav 
elled  in  numbers.  It  was  more  likely  to  be  a 
white  man.  Any  white  man  would  be  a  friend, 
and  could  guide  him  to  safety,  unless  he  were 
himself  lost.  At  any  rate  there  seemed  but  one 
course  to  follow,  and  that  to  ride  towards  the 
stranger. 

19 


290  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

When  Tom  drew  near  his  heart  was  filled  with 
sudden  joy,  for,  in  the  new  arrival,  he  recog 
nized  John  Miles.  Miles  was  no  less  delighted. 

"Tom,  old  boy,"  he  said,  "  is  it  you?  How 
did  you  get  away?  I  was  afraid  we  should  never 
see  you  again." 

"  I  feared  so  myself,"  said  Tom ;  "  but  I  have 
been  saved  in  a  wonderful  manner.  Has  the  train 
moved  on?" 

"  Do  you  think  we  would  go  on  without  you? 
Not  a  man  was  willing  to  stir  till  you  were 
found.  Even  Peabody,  though  terribly  afraid  of 
falling  into  the  hands  of  the  Indians,  and  losing 
his  scalp,  was  in  favor  of  our  waiting.  The 
boys  are  very  anxious  about  you." 

Tom  heard  this  with  satisfaction.  The  esteem 
of  our  friends  and  associates  is  dear  to  us  all ; 
and  it  is  always  sad  to  think  that  we  may  be 
forgotten  in  absence. 

"But  you  have  not  told  me  of  your  escape, 
Tom,"  said  Miles.  "  Where  are  the  Indians  who 
captured  you?" 

"  All  dead !  "   answered  Tom,   solemnly. 


TOM'S    TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  291 

"Good    Heavens!     You   don't   mean  to    say  — " 

"That  I  killed  them?  Oh,  no!  Look  over 
there!  Can  you  see  anything?" 

Miles   looked   earnestly. 

"I  think  I  see  upon  the  ground  some  men  and 
horses." 

"  It  is  the  Indians.  They  were  pursuing  me  when 
they  were  trampled  to  death  by  a  herd  of  buffaloes." 

"  Wonderful ! "  ejaculated  Miles.  "  I  have  heard 
of  such  things,  but  hardly  believed  in  them." 

"  It  was  a  terrible  sight,"  said  Tom,  soberly. 
"  I  wish  I  could  have  been  saved  in  some  other  way." 

"It  was  you  or  they,"  said  Miles,  senten- 
tiously.  "It  is  well  as  it  is." 

They  were  warmly  welcomed  at  the  camp.  Tom 
was  looked  upon  as  one  raised  from  the  dead ; 
and  the  particulars  of  his  wonderful  escape  were 
called  for  again  and  again. 

"You  are  sure  they  didn't  scalp  you,  Tom?" 
asked  Mr.  Peabod}'. 

"Feel  and  see,  Mr.  Peabody,"  said  Tom, 
smiling.  "I  believe  my  hair  is  pretty  firm." 


292  THE    YOUNG   ADVENTURER;    OR, 

"I  wouldn't  have  been  in  your  shoes  for  all 
the  gold  in  California,"  said  Peabody,  fervently. 

"I  believe  you,  Mr.  Peabody.  Indeed,  I  think 
I  may  say  that  I  wouldn't  be  placed  in  the  same 
situation  again  for  all  the  gold  in  the  world." 

"Tom,"  said  Scott,  "  y  ou  are  bound  to  suc 
ceed." 

4 'What  makes  you  think  so?" 

"You  have  shown  so  much  pluck  and  coolness 
that  you  are  sure  to  get  along." 

"I  hope  so,  I  am  sure,  for  my  father's  sake." 

Some  weeks  later  a  wagon  train  was  seen 
slowly  climbing  a  mountain  pass  on  the  crest 
of  the  Sierra  Nevada  Mountains.  They  reached 
the  summit,  and,  looking  eagerly  to  the  west 
ward,  saw  the  land  of  gold  at  their  feet.  They 
had  been  months  in  reaching  it.  Now  it  lay 
spread  before  them,  glorious  in  the  sunlight. 

"Yonder  lies  the  promised  land,  my  lad,"  said 
Ferguson.  "It  remains  to  be  seen  whether  we 
shall  be  rewarded  for  our  long  and  toilsome 
journey." 


TRIP  ACROSS    THE   PLAINS.  293 

"If  hard  work  will  win  success  I  mean  to 
succeed,"  said  Tom,  stoutly. 

"I  don't  see  any  gold,"  said  Lawrence 
Peabody,  with  a  disappointed  air. 

"Did  you  think  it  grew  on  trees,  Mr.  Peabody?" 
asked  Scott,  sarcastically. 

"I  should  like  to  stop  a  week  at  a  first-class 
hotel  before  getting  to  work,"  remarked  Peabody. 
"I  don't  like  roughing  it." 

"We  will  leave  you  at  the  first  hotel  of  that 
sort  we  meet.  Now,  boys,  gather  about  me,  and 
give  three  rousing  cheers  for  California." 

Thus  spoke  Miles,  and  swung  his  hat.  The 
cheers  were  given  with  a  will,  and  the  wagon 
train  commenced  the  descent. 

Those  of  my  readers  who  would  like  to  learn 
how  Tom  and  his  friends  fared  in  the  land  of 
gold  will  find  their  further  adventures  chronicled 
in  the  second  volume  of  this  series, — 

THE  YOUNG  PIONEER  ; 

OR, 

TOM   NELSON   IN   CALIFORNIA. 


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